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Escalation Against Neighbors, Iran's Strategic Miscalculation in the Gulf
(Al Arabiya-Saudi Arabia) Dr. Majid Rafizadeh - By striking neighboring countries, Iran is shooting itself in the foot. The Gulf states - Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman - are not peripheral players but essential neighbors whose stability and cooperation are vital for Iran's own long-term economic development and regional standing. Attacking sovereign nations that have no direct involvement in the core Iran-U.S. disputes risks isolating Tehran further and undermining any prospects for recovery or reintegration into the global economy. These are countries that will remain Iran's neighbors for generations. Alienating them harms Iran's future more than it hurts its targets. Moreover, by targeting states uninvolved in the initial conflict, Iran paints itself as the aggressor in the eyes of the international community and the Arab world. These Gulf countries did not initiate hostilities against Iran. They have repeatedly called for de-escalation rather than escalation. Iran's actions risk shifting regional and global perceptions dramatically, framing Tehran as an expansionist power. Public opinion in the Arab world is likely shifting against Iran as people see their own countries threatened.