Gulf nations have voiced growing frustration over the U.S. response to Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks, claiming they were not given adequate warning about the scale of the Iranian strikes or the risks involved. Two Gulf officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said their governments feel the U.S. has been overly focused on protecting Israel and American military personnel, leaving the Gulf countries to fend for themselves against the Iranian onslaught.

Regional Concerns Over U.S. Preparedness

One official said that the Gulf countries’ interceptor systems are being rapidly depleted due to the sheer volume of Iranian drones and missiles. He added that there is a belief in the region that the U.S. operation has prioritized defending Israel and its own troops, while leaving the Gulf states vulnerable.

The Gulf allies reportedly warned the U.S. before the February 28 attack that such a strike could trigger a broader regional conflict, but those warnings were allegedly ignored. The officials said they are now deeply concerned about the potential for further escalation and the long-term consequences of the current strategy.

U.S. Response and Regional Reactions

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Iran’s attacks have decreased by 90% since the start of Operation Epic Fury, which she claimed is effectively neutralizing Iran’s missile capabilities. She added that President Trump is in close contact with regional partners and that the attacks on Gulf countries underscore the need to eliminate the Iranian threat.

However, Gulf governments have remained silent on the issue, with no official responses to requests for comment. Meanwhile, public figures with close ties to Gulf nations have criticized the U.S. and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that the war was unnecessary and that Netanyahu had pulled the U.S. into a conflict.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief, told CNN that the war is Netanyahu’s, and that he convinced President Trump to support his views. This sentiment has been echoed by others in the region, who believe the U.S. is not fully committed to protecting its Gulf allies.

Iran’s Escalating Attacks and Casualties

Since the start of the conflict, Iran has launched at least 380 missiles and over 1,480 drones at five Gulf countries, according to an Associated Press tally. These attacks have resulted in 13 deaths in the region, with six U.S. soldiers killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations center in a civilian port.

The U.S. military has acknowledged that it is struggling to intercept the Iranian drones, particularly the Shahed series. In closed-door briefings with lawmakers, Pentagon officials admitted they lack the capability to stop all incoming drones, especially those targeting non-military sites such as ports and business areas.

The Gulf countries have become prime targets for Iran, with their infrastructure, including energy facilities and tourist locations, within range of Iranian missiles. This has disrupted global oil supplies and created economic uncertainty in the region.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress that the U.S. is not fully prepared to defend against the large-scale drone attacks, particularly those targeting areas outside conventional military bases.

In response to the crisis, the U.S. and its Gulf allies have sought assistance from Ukraine, which has experience in countering Iranian drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the offer of support, and President Trump said he is open to receiving any help from any country.

U.S. Strategy and Gulf Frustrations

Analysts have criticized the U.S. for underestimating the risks to Gulf allies, believing that American troops and Israel would be the primary targets of Iranian retaliation. Bader Mousa Al-Saif, a Kuwait-based analyst with Chatham House, said the lack of a plan to protect Gulf countries reflects U.S. short-sightedness.

Gulf nations are also frustrated by the fact that Israel has been more successful in intercepting Iranian drones and missiles compared to their own air defense systems. Despite this, U.S. officials are perplexed by the Gulf countries’ reluctance to launch a counteroffensive against Iran.

Elliott Abrams, a former U.S. official, said that while U.S. and Gulf allies were aware of Iran’s capabilities, it was unclear whether Iran would actually follow through on its threats. He warned that if the attacks continue, the Gulf Arab states may eventually take military action against Iran.

Michael Ratney, a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said the Gulf countries have an interest in weakening Iran but are also deeply concerned about the economic and political instability caused by the ongoing conflict. He warned that the Gulf nations will likely bear the brunt of any further escalation.

The situation remains fluid, with the U.S. and its allies continuing to seek solutions to the drone threat, while Gulf nations grow increasingly frustrated with the perceived lack of support from Washington.