Iran Attacks Gulf States: Regional Escalation Signals Prolonged War and Global Impact, Abdel Rahim Ali
Saturday 28/February/2026 - 10:07 PM
Political thinker and journalist Abdel Rahim Ali, head of the Middle East Studies Center in Paris, said Iran’s attacks on several Gulf countries represent a serious regional escalation reflecting the volatility of the current moment. He noted that Tehran justified the strikes as targeting U.S. military bases located within those states.
Speaking to Al-Qahera News Channel, Ali added that Iran had, until the early hours of the day, a significant opportunity to reach a preliminary agreement with the United States. However, the latest military developments appear to have closed that diplomatic window and pushed the region into a more confrontational phase.
Pressure Strategy Aimed at Washington
Ali argued that Tehran seeks to force Gulf states to exert direct pressure on Washington to halt the war. In his view, this approach is intended to widen the conflict and shift its political and security costs onto additional regional actors.
He warned that targeting Gulf countries sends multiple political and military signals and threatens the stability of the entire region, especially amid rising tensions and international efforts to prevent a full-scale confrontation.
War Expected to Last Weeks with Strategic Objectives
According to Ali, the confrontation between the United States and Iran—now underway—could last for weeks and may evolve into a long-term campaign. He suggested that its strategic objective is either the removal of the Iranian regime or the breaking of its will to the point of functional collapse.
He also raised concerns about what follows the initial phase of fighting, questioning whether the second day of war could trigger broader regional chaos. Containing that potential disorder, he said, is now a critical priority as Iran attempts to rapidly absorb its losses.
Armed Proxies and Growing International Opposition
Ali identified Iran’s continued support for armed groups across the region as a central factor driving major powers to align against Tehran. He pointed to Iranian statements insisting that Hezbollah will not disarm and that Houthi forces in Yemen will remain a persistent threat to the United States.
Such rhetoric, he argued, reflects an escalatory posture that deepens conflict rather than opening pathways to political solutions. Expanding influence through proxy forces, he added, increases Iran’s international isolation and invites further external pressure at a time when the region urgently needs de-escalation.
Economic Shockwaves and Oil Market Risks
Ali warned that the war will inevitably affect global oil prices and could trigger significant disruptions in the world economy. He expressed hope that what he described as Egypt’s “voice of reason” could help defuse tensions and prevent the region from sliding into wider conflict.
He also claimed that Iran had effectively sidelined the International Atomic Energy Agency, thereby losing a key diplomatic instrument.
Israeli Offensive and U.S. Military Involvement
Earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the launch of a large-scale preemptive strike against targets deep inside Iran, stating that the operation aims to remove direct threats to Tel Aviv.
Following the announcement, Israeli authorities declared a nationwide state of maximum emergency amid expectations of imminent Iranian retaliation using missiles and drones.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces are engaged in major combat operations against Iran, which he described as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. He said the objective of the joint military effort—conducted by U.S. air and naval forces—is to destroy Iran’s missile program and permanently prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, expressing confidence in U.S. military superiority.
Iranian Retaliation Targets U.S. Assets in the Region
In response, Iranian forces launched missile strikes and suicide drones targeting American bases and military facilities in Gulf countries and Jordan. The attacks came as retaliation for the joint U.S.–Israeli military operation against Tehran, marking a sharp escalation with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional and global security.
