In a dramatic turn of events, the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict is reshaping alliances in the Gulf region as residents of cities like Dubai confront an increasing sense of dread. Following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites, nations that once viewed Israel as a potential ally against Iran are now reassessing their relationships, influenced by growing fears of violence spilling over into their territories.
Residents in Dubai and other Gulf capitals are watching nervously as missiles are exchanged between Israel and Iran, raising concerns that American interests in the region may also be threatened, especially with speculation about U.S. President Trump's involvement on the side of Israel. Mohammed Baharoon, director of the Dubai-based research center B’huth, articulated the sentiment, stating, “Now the madman with a gun is Israel, it’s not Iran.”
The Emirati government, despite its historically wary stance towards Iran, acknowledges the escalating risks and has implemented measures like waiving visa overstay fees for Iranians caught in Dubai as a gesture of solidarity during these tumultuous times. This is a stark departure from previous efforts to build closer ties with Israel that centered around a mutual interest in countering Iranian influence.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's recent outreach to the Iranian president is indicative of a notable diplomatic shift, with Gulf leaders now viewing Iran as a more pragmatic partner in the face of Israel’s aggression. With the Gaza conflict unresolved and increasing instability marking the region, officials are struggling to navigate a landscape where, in their eyes, Israel has become the primary source of destabilization.
This recalibration among Gulf nations signals a potential fracturing of relations that were once thought to be improving, highlighting the possibility that the current waves of violence may herald a new chapter of enmity rather than alignment in Middle Eastern politics.
