Why Is Iran Waging War Against the Arab World?
- Ofek Kehila
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Since the beginning of the US-Israel war on Iran, the Iranian regime has declared war on the Arab world, targeting the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Arab countries in the Middle East, and even beyond. Why is Iran waging war against the Arab world? Which countries are being targeted? And what are the consequences of this risky strategy?
Full-blown war on the Gulf states
Iran has launched a full-blown war on the Gulf states, targeting not only US bases but also Arab civilians, industry, hotels, oil facilities, and infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.
The UAE was hit by more than 230 ballistic missiles, 10 cruise missiles, and over 1,400 Iranian Shahed drones. Among the locations targeted by Iran are major skyscrapers, residential buildings, hotels, and Dubai’s airport.
In Saudi Arabia, Iran hit the Ras Tanura oil refinery with drones, which led the Saudis to shut the complex down. This is one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, and its closure, even if temporary, constitutes a massive blow to Saudi Arabia’s economy. Iranian missiles and drones also hit desalination plants in Saudi Arabia and the US Embassy in Riyadh.
Despite seemingly friendly statements, Iran launched numerous waves of missiles and drone attacks at Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, targeting energy facilities, US bases, and major cities such as Manama and Doha. Following the attacks on energy facilities, Qatar suspended most of its natural gas production.
In total, it is estimated that Iran shot 2,520 missiles and drones at the Gulf states, causing the death of dozens of civilians and wounding hundreds.
Iranian attacks on Arab countries
In the past week, Iran fired hundreds of missiles and attack drones at Jordan, targeting vital installations and facilities. According to the New York Times, Ukraine even sent drone experts to protect US bases in Jordan. In Iraq, Iran targeted the US embassy in Baghdad and the headquarters of Iranian Kurdish forces.
Attacks on other Muslim countries
Iran also attacked other Muslim countries, like Azerbaijan and Turkey. In Azerbaijan, Iran attacked with drones an airport, a school, and other civilian targets. The Iranians even planned to hit the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, one of the most important energy pipelines in the region. Additionally, NATO shot down several missiles over Turkey.
Why is Iran waging war against the Arab world?
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed that Iran is targeting the Gulf states as its missiles cannot reach the United States. However, there are many other reasons behind Iran’s actions:
Targeting the “soft underbelly” of the US: The Gulf states and other Arab countries are perceived by the Iranian regime as the “soft underbelly” of the US. The air defenses of these countries are lacking, and they are reluctant to retaliate against Iranian attacks. By targeting the weaker allies of the US, Iran hopes to inflict damage on American bases in the area and apply pressure on the US to stop the war.
Disrupting oil supplies worldwide: Since the war began, the price of oil has climbed past $100 per barrel. By hitting major oil facilities, disrupting supplies, and increasing energy prices across the world, Iran hopes to plunge the world economy into crisis and put US President Donald Trump in a precarious political position ahead of the midterm elections.
Turning the conflict into a regional war: After suffering heavy losses from the joint US-Israeli attacks, Iran strives to turn the conflict into a more dangerous and deadly regional war, attacking not only the Gulf states but also other Arab and Muslim countries in the region and beyond.
Waging a holy war against the Sunni world: Long before the US-Iran war started, Shiite Iran had been engaged in a traditional conflict with the Sunni Arab countries around it. In many senses, the current war made the Iranian regime go back to its religious and ideological roots: a frontal confrontation with the Sunni world. In other words, the US-Israeli attack on Iran has opened an opportunity for the Iranian regime to go after Sunni Islam itself.
Wrap up
Driven by desperation and fanaticism, the Iranian regime has declared a full-blown war on the Arab world. Even though Iran is hoping to put pressure on the US, this risky move may actually push Gulf states and other Arab and Muslim countries toward ever closer cooperation with the US and Israel.
Ofek Kehila (Israel, 1987) is a scholar of Spanish Golden Age literature and Latin American literature of the 20th and 21st centuries. His research bridges the gap between those traditions, highlighting their aesthetic, cultural, and historical dialogue. He holds a PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2022) and was a postdoctoral fellow at Freie Universität Berlin (2023-2025).