Iran’s ferocious retaliation for US-Israeli strikes has rattled its neighbors
Iran’s ferocious retaliation for US-Israeli strikes has rattled its neighbors
Persian Gulf Arab nations attempted to avert a joint US-Israeli assault on Iran. Now, as Tehran launches its counterattack, neighboring territories face direct threats. The Islamic Republic has long prepared for such a scenario, having spent years fortifying defenses against potential aggression. However, the intensity of its response has left regional governments and civilians alike in shock.
Since its revolution nearly five decades ago, oil-rich states aligned with the United States have invested heavily in American military equipment and hosted US bases to deter attacks. Up to 40,000 American troops are stationed across the region, supported by advanced missile-defense systems. Despite this, Iran has consistently warned that the presence of US forces near its borders could make its Arab neighbors prime targets.
Weeks of US military buildup near Iran culminated in a surprise strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the nation’s supreme leader, along with 49 other top officials. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Iran’s “nuclear pursuits” and its “expanding arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones” a growing threat. The attack triggered an immediate and aggressive retaliation, with Iran’s forces launching over 400 ballistic missiles and nearly 1,000 drones within the first 72 hours.
Decentralized tactics disrupt regional stability
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deployed a “mosaic defense” strategy, described by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which involves decentralized, cell-based operations. These units launch drones and missiles from hidden positions, blending into civilian infrastructure. Mobile launchers disguised as trucks allow rapid strikes, bypassing traditional defenses.
“We’ve had two decades to study defeats of the US military to our immediate east and west,” Araghchi wrote on X. “We’ve incorporated lessons accordingly.”
The strikes have targeted urban areas, energy hubs, airports, and hotels, causing widespread disruption. Airspace closures stranded travelers, forced schools into remote learning, and kept residents indoors to avoid debris. Three US fighter jets were downed in friendly fire, marking a significant escalation. The conflict has undermined the region’s stability, with some Gulf states that previously urged restraint now bearing the brunt of the retaliation.
Arab leaders are struggling to reassure citizens and expatriates who moved to the region for safety and prosperity. As chaos intensifies, patience is fading. A senior Gulf official labeled Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and others as a “miscalculation,” stating that Tehran has “lost all goodwill” from Islamic and Arab states. The United Arab Emirates, facing a “barrage of attacks,” vowed to respond decisively, according to its minister of state for international cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy.
