A dramatic diplomatic rift has been exposed within the Gulf following revelations that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) unsuccessfully lobbied its neighbors to launch a coordinated military front against Iran.
According to a detailed report by Bloomberg, the behind-the-scenes drama unfolded shortly after hostilities between the United States and Iran erupted in late February. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) reportedly led an intensive campaign to convince Saudi Arabia and Qatar to join a unified military strike in response to Tehran’s aerial offensives.
"Not Our War"
Citing the original 1981 mandate of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to curb threats stemming from the Islamic Revolution, MBZ urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and other regional leaders to act as a single military bloc. The UAE’s vision was to establish a tangible deterrent through close operational ties with the U.S. and Israel.
The proposal, however, was met with a cold dismissal. Regional leaders reportedly rejected the initiative outright, telling Abu Dhabi: "This is not our war."
The refusal has had seismic consequences for regional stability:
- Solo Strikes: Frustrated by the lack of regional backing, the UAE proceeded independently, launching limited military strikes against Iranian targets in March and April.
- Diplomatic Breakdown: The friction over military strategy led to a sharp deterioration in UAE-Saudi relations.
- OPEC Exit: Analysts point to this strategic fallout as a primary driver behind the UAE’s recent dramatic decision to withdraw from the OPEC oil cartel.
Conflicting Interests
The report highlights a fragmented Middle East. While Qatar briefly considered military action after an Iranian strike on the Ras Laffan industrial city, home to the world’s largest LNG facility, Doha ultimately pivoted to diplomacy.
Saudi Arabia also opted for a cautious path. Despite conducting a single precision strike in March, Riyadh quickly shifted toward Pakistani-mediated negotiations with Tehran. This pivot reportedly "infuriated" the UAE, which felt excluded from the diplomatic process.
While the Trump administration reportedly supported the UAE’s push for a regional coalition, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain remained strictly on the sidelines, fearing that Iranian retaliation would target American bases on their soil.
A Gulf Divided
The Bloomberg revelation crystallizes what analysts have been describing for months: the Gulf is not a unified bloc. Some states quietly want Iran neutralized; others are pushing hard for restraint. Some states want escalation; others are pushing for restraint and the terms of any ceasefire deal do not augur well for the Gulf states, with Iran insisting on retaining leverage over the Strait of Hormuz as a condition of any peace. Foreign Policy
As Trump returns from Beijing today with no deal in hand and renewed war potentially days away, that Gulf rift may matter more than ever.
