In the context of the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began in late February 2026, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have undergone a notable shift in their strategic posture. Initially, both Gulf powers lobbied against US strikes on Iran and insisted that their bases not be used for offensive operations, viewing the conflict as something that could destabilize the region. However, Iran's retaliatory barrage of missiles and drones targeting energy infrastructure, airports, and civilian sites in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other GCC states has prompted a reevaluation. These attacks, which disrupted oil and gas production and threatened the Strait of Hormuz, have led Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to conclude that Iran's military must be significantly degraded before any ceasefire can be viable, aligning their interests more closely with American goals of neutralizing the Iranian threat.

Saudi Arabia has taken concrete steps toward deeper involvement, including granting the US military expanded access to King Fahd Air Base—a reversal of its prior restrictions on using Saudi territory for strikes against Iran. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly weighing direct participation in offensive operations, with sources describing it as a matter of "when, not if," as the kingdom seeks to punish Tehran for its aggression and secure long-term regional dominance. The UAE, which bore the brunt of early Iranian strikes, has similarly edged closer by shutting down Iranian-linked financial and commercial networks in Dubai and considering targeted strikes on Iranian missile sites. Both nations have coordinated diplomatically through GCC channels and high-level meetings in Riyadh, pushing for expedited US arms sales and expressing frustration with the pace of the campaign while advocating for its prolongation to weaken Iran's capabilities.

This emerging alignment with the United States marks a potential escalation in the conflict, transforming what began as a US-Israeli operation into a broader coalition effort involving key Arab Gulf states. Saudi and UAE officials have signaled that Iranian attacks crossed a red line, eroding any remaining trust and justifying their right to military action. While full-scale entry remains under deliberation due to risks of wider regional fallout, the trajectory points toward logistical support evolving into joint strikes, driven by shared concerns over Iranian extortion tactics and the need for post-war stability. Analysts note that such involvement could reshape the Middle East's power balance, with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi aiming to emerge as decisive players in a weakened Iran's neighborhood.

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