International staff stare into the sky as black smoke rises after an explosion within the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026.
Fadel Senna | AFP | Getty Photographs
Iran has defended its assaults on Gulf states, telling CNBC that U.S. navy amenities within the area are “reputable” targets for counterattacks towards the USA and Israel.
However Gulf states informed CNBC the assault had created a “large gulf of belief” that may persist for years to return.
Iran’s choice to assault neighboring nations as a part of retaliation for U.S. and Israeli assaults has confused analysts, and Tehran itself has despatched combined messages over its technique, apologizing for assaults on neighboring nations together with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, earlier than finishing up additional assaults.
An Iranian International Ministry spokesman in Tehran informed CNBC on Monday that the Islamic Republic “feels no hostility” towards the Gulf states, however that U.S. navy belongings within the area are reputable targets.
“Now we have mentioned many occasions that we don’t really feel any hostility in direction of any nation within the area, together with the UAE and Bahrain,” Iranian International Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei mentioned.
“The one factor we’re doing is defending ourselves from the aggressor. Did we begin this struggle? Or was this struggle foisted on Iran for no cause?” he informed CNBC’s Dan Murphy.
Baghai mentioned Iran aimed to assault “navy bases and belongings” belonging to the USA within the area, which he mentioned was “authorized underneath worldwide legislation” as a result of Iran “defends” itself underneath Article 51 of the United Nations Constitution.
“All navy bases, installations and belongings which can be utilized in any kind or method to assist the aggressor are thought-about reputable targets… Now we have ceaselessly warned that if they begin a struggle towards Iran, that struggle is not going to be restricted to Iran alone. It was not a menace. It’s because of the actuality of our area. US navy bases are dotted round us,” Bagai mentioned.
An empty apology?
Regardless of Iran’s claims that it’s only concentrating on navy belongings within the area, the assaults have focused vital power infrastructure in neighboring nations, notably oil amenities and navy bases.
Particles from Iranian drones and airstrikes has additionally broken civilian infrastructure throughout the Gulf, together with airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in addition to accommodations and residential buildings. Intercepted drones and missiles have additionally injured civilians and troopers, leading to a number of deaths.
Analysts say the technique is geared toward inflicting most discomfort to Iran’s neighbors and reveals that Iran has the potential to shake up the worldwide economic system and disrupt oil markets.
Additionally it is seen as an try to stress the USA and Israel to finish their bombing of Iran by affected Gulf states determined to guard their diversifying economies.
Iran’s neighbors are unimpressed by Iran’s actions, to say the least, and have warned that diplomatic relations might be affected for years.
“I am not saying that relations between the Gulf states and Iran will not return. On the finish of the day, they’re neighbors, nevertheless it has created an enormous hole in belief that, in my view, will proceed for many years to return,” a senior UAE official, who shouldn’t be typically named, informed reporters at an official briefing on Friday.
CNBC has requested Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain to touch upon how the Iranian assault has affected their relations with Iran, and is awaiting responses.
Qatar informed CNBC it pointed to the newest assertion by the nation’s prime minister and international minister on Tuesday, which “strongly condemns Iran’s assaults on the State of Qatar and different Gulf states,” including that the justification supplied by the Iranian authorities is “completely rejected.”
The Gulf Cooperation Council, a political and financial union of six Gulf states, issued an announcement condemning Iran’s “treacherous” and “heinous” assault and mentioned it will take “all needed measures” to guard Iran’s safety and territory.
Gulf states comparable to Saudi Arabia and the UAE have threatened retaliation towards Iran, however have to date avoided any probably escalatory motion.
Iran acknowledges that whereas persevering with on the identical path, it’s taking a toll on already strained relations with its neighbors.
Final weekend, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for the assault, saying: “Now we have no intention of invading different nations. Let’s put apart all our variations, issues and resentments in direction of one another. At present, let’s defend our homeland and produce Iran out of this disaster with dignity.” Shortly after, nevertheless, Iran fired a rocket at a US air base within the UAE.
Pezeshkian’s apology additionally sparked a backlash from hardliners in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and clerical elites, with hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasay slamming the president on social media, calling “your angle unprofessional, weak and unacceptable.”
Satellite tv for pc photos from Vantoor present broken elements and burnt areas of the Ras Tanura refinery after the accident.
Maxar | 2026 Vantaa | Getty Photographs
Iranian Spokesman Bagui reiterated Pezeshkian’s apology to CNBC, however mentioned neighboring nations have been being taken benefit of by the USA.
“We deeply remorse that in the course of the holy month of Ramadan, some regional nations and the territory of some regional nations are being misused by the USA to assault different Islamic nations.”
