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By Striking Its Neighbors, Iran Has Deepened the Gulf's Resolve to Fight Back
(Wall Street Journal) Yaroslav Trofimov - The Iranian regime has struck at least nine countries across the Middle East. The apparent calculation was that, by targeting rich Persian Gulf monarchies, Tehran could force Washington and Israel into a rapid de-escalation. So far, this calculus seems to have backfired. Gulf states are concluding that the Iranian peril must be confronted. Rather than seeking an offramp, the prevailing mood in the Gulf - at least for now - is that the Iranian regime can't be allowed to get away with this unprecedented onslaught on its neighbors. "Iran is coming to the countries and people of the Gulf and saying: 'You know, I am actually your number-one threat.' This has long-term implications, regardless of whoever is actually in power in Iran," said Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president. "Targeting Gulf states is completely irrational, and very shortsighted." Iran has struck all six of the oil-rich Gulf Arab states, including Oman, which had mediated nuclear talks between Tehran and the Trump administration. It also hit Jordan, Iraq and Israel. At first, all the Gulf states publicly opposed the U.S.-Israeli assault on the Iranian regime. But the mood changed quickly once the brunt of the Iranian response targeted cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Doha in Qatar, and Manama in Bahrain, inflicting widespread damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties. "Many people in the Gulf woke up Saturday pissed off at the United States and Israel, and went to sleep pissed off at Iran," said William Wechsler, director of Middle East programs at the Atlantic Council in Washington.