Trump's Iran Threat Renews Gulf Fears of Unwanted War

President Trump's renewed threat to strike Iran has Gulf allies fearing another war they cannot control, where US bases meant to protect them could instead become targets for Iranian retaliation. The prospect dominated security discussions in Bahrain over the weekend. Iranian missiles previously struck US bases and Gulf energy facilities, exposing vulnerabilities in Washington's security architecture and giving Tehran fixed targets to exploit. European officials say US forces are positioned for a possible attack this week, likely targeting Iranian nuclear sites, though Gulf states are racing to pursue diplomacy. Iran's strategy is one of attrition, aiming to make US forces expensive to sustain and turn Gulf hosts into pressure points. Gulf officials express deep pessimism about averting conflict, fearing they will bear the heaviest costs in any renewed war.