Gulf States Move To Respond To Israel’s Strike On Qatar: What Could Be Their Next Step And Why Options Are Limited | World News

Doha: The Gulf Region confronts an unprecedented security crisis after an ascension that follows Iran’s attack on the US Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar on 23 June 2025 after Israel’s strike to Doha. For decades, the rich gulf monarchies reflected the images of explosive economies, glittering skulls and pharmacy, and exploding economies. As it approaches the war borders in Gaza, this sense of security is now difficult.

Qatar’s leadership showed that the response to Israel’s action would be collective. Prime Minister Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said CNN consultations with regional partners continued and a decision will be announced at the Arab and Islamic summit in Doha at the weekend.

The most visible coordination sign came from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). President Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan flew to Doha in a day from the attack and brought a great delegation. Qatar was the first stop in a Gulf tour that took him to Bahrain and Oman. Shortly after, the UAE Foreign Ministry called an Israeli diplomat and condemned the strike as an open and cowardly action.

Regional analysts, the Gulf states are now weighing limited options, he said. Bader Al-Saif from the University of Kuwait said that governments have seen the need to act collectively and that inertia could make other Gulf capitals vulnerable.

Diplomatic facades

The observers said that the UAE may consider lowering diplomatic ties with Israel or participating in Washington’s Normalization Agreement, which is at the center of Donald Trump’s Middle East policy. Emirati officials, before the strike in Doha, expressed discontent, which would pass the Israel’s additional regions of the West Bank to pass a red line and weaken the spirit of agreements, he said.

Qatar is expected to force legal measures. Sheikh Muhammad said that Doha’s reaction would include action within the scope of international law. This week, Qatar managed to gather the UN Security Council to unanimously condemn the Israeli strike.

Hasan Alhasan of Bahrain International Institute of Strategic Studies, said the Gulf governments have avoided playing important roles in international legal efforts against Israel so far, but may change if they chose to participate in collectively.

Analysts also suggested that Qatar could reconsider his role as the main tool of the region between Washington and his competitors.

Security calculations

Despite the frequent political disputes among themselves, the Gulf states are adhered to the long -standing mutual defense agreements. Abdulaziz Sager of the Gulf Research Center, the first defense agreement prepared in the 1980s, argued that the moment to activate the peninsula shield forces.

Analysts, so far, theoretical, a united Gulf Command, integrated air and missile defenses and more investment in domestic capabilities, including more investment, he added.

Most of the Gulf soldiers are connected to American systems and bases. As the United States, there is a disturbing disorder that some views cannot fully guarantee regional security. Analysts said that it could push the Gulf capitals to suppress Trump management for more clear defense commitments rather than weapons sales.

Nevertheless, he warned that internal competitors could prevent the consensus. Alhasan stressed that Gulf leaders have been dependent on Washington, whose policy has long been prioritized to maintain Israel’s military superiority.

Economic pressure

Gulf’s wide oil and gas fortune provides him a strong tool. Analysts, dominant reserve funds can be used to restrict investment connections with Israel or large Israeli shares.

Alhasan announced that coordinated financial pressure can carry weight globally.

The managers of the region have also attributed great investments to security environments. During the first foreign journey of Trump’s second era, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar collectively promised three trillion dollars for the US economy in the next decade.

Al-Saif said that such investments are stable in the Gulf. If insecurity deepens, money can be directed to defense expenditures or alternative markets.