As military warships and jet aircraft continue to pour into the Middle East in preparation for a possible war against Tehran, and as Donald Trump’s rhetoric grows ever more direct and unhinged, the stance adopted by the Gulf states deserves recognition. It is a position that actively reduces the likelihood of war and, more importantly, opens space for diplomacy and a negotiated settlement.
The most consequential element of this stance is Saudi Arabia’s declaration that it will not permit its airspace to be used for military action against Iran, a position soon echoed by the UAE. Given that both countries host major US military bases, any large-scale attack on Iran would, under normal circumstances, rely heavily on access to their airspace. Denying that access significantly alters the military calculus.
If Saudi Arabia and the UAE hold firm on this position, any offensive operation becomes far more complex. The remaining aerial route would largely be funnelled through Syria and Iraq, narrowing operational options and allowing Iran to concentrate its air defences more effectively. The only other viable avenue would be maritime, via the Strait of Hormuz, a scenario that similarly enables Iran to focus its defensive capabilities. In practical terms, these restrictions do not merely complicate an attack; they raise its costs and risks to a level that strengthens the case for restraint.
Beyond the military implications, both Gulf states have also positioned themselves as potential intermediaries between Washington and Tehran. Iran, for its part, has signalled a parallel willingness to avoid war, indicating that it is prepared to return to negotiations and explore any viable path toward de-escalation. This, too, is a stance that merits acknowledgement. While Iran continues to assert that it is ready to defend itself and retaliate against US installations if attacked, it has deliberately kept the door to diplomacy open.
What is particularly notable is the emerging alignment, however tentative, between Iran and Gulf states that have long been pitted against one another by external powers. This shift toward coordination, even if limited and pragmatic, is an encouraging development. Despite remaining on opposing sides of broader great-power rivalries, if closer engagement between Iran and the Gulf can help avert yet another devastating regional war, then every effort should be made to support and sustain it.
