International staff take a look at a tall plume of black smoke ascends following an explosion within the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026.
Fadel Senna | Afp | Getty Photos
Iran has defended its strikes in opposition to its Gulf neighbors, telling CNBC that U.S. army belongings situated in surrounding territories had been “reputable” targets in its battle again in opposition to America and Israel.
However Gulf states advised CNBC that the assaults have created a “large belief hole” that can final for years to come back.
Iran’s determination to assault its neighbors as a part of its retaliation in opposition to U.S.-Israeli strikes has confused analysts and Tehran itself has despatched blended messages over its technique, apologising for strikes in opposition to neighbors together with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, earlier than finishing up but extra strikes.
Iran’s overseas ministry spokesperson in Tehran advised CNBC on Monday that the Islamic Republic felt “no hostility” towards Gulf international locations, however that U.S. army belongings within the area had been reputable targets.
“Now we have stated many instances that we really feel no hostility towards any nation within the area, towards the UAE, Bahrain, you identify it,” stated Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of International Affairs.
“The one factor we’re doing is defending ourselves in opposition to the aggressors. Did we begin this warfare? Or this warfare was imposed on Iran for no motive?” he advised CNBC’s Dan Murphy.
Baghaei stated Iran had aimed assaults “in opposition to army bases and belongings” belonging to the U.S. within the area and stated this was “reputable underneath worldwide regulation” as Tehran was “defending” itself underneath Article 51 of the UN Constitution.
“All army bases, installations and belongings that in any type or method are getting used to assist the aggressors are thought to be reputable targets … We had warned usually that if they begin warfare in opposition to Iran, that warfare wouldn’t be restricted solely to Iran. That was not a menace. That was due to the realities in our area. The army bases of the USA are scattered round us,” Baghaei stated.
Empty apology?
Regardless of Iran’s insistence that it has solely focused army belongings within the surrounding area, its assaults have focused essential vitality infrastructure, significantly oil services, in addition to army bases, in neighboring international locations.
Iranian drones and particles from strikes have additionally hit civilian infrastructure throughout the Gulf, together with airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in addition to resorts and residential buildings. Intercepted drones and missiles have additionally precipitated harm to civilians and troopers, and several other fatalities.
A view of harm after an Iranian drone struck a number of buildings in Manama, Bahrain on March 1, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Photos
Analysts say this technique has aimed to create most discomfort for Iran’s fast neighbors, in addition to displaying that Tehran can shake the worldwide financial system and disrupt oil markets.
It has additionally been seen as an try to make the affected Gulf states — anxious to guard their diversifying economies — exert stress on the U.S. and Israel to finish their aerial bombardment of Iran.
Iran’s neighbors should not impressed with Iran’s actions, to say the least, warning that diplomatic relations may very well be impacted for years.
A senior UAE official, who will not be usually recognized by identify, advised journalists on Friday at an official briefing, “I’m not saying, relations between Gulf states and Iran should not going to return, as a result of on the finish of the day, you might be neighbours but it surely creates an enormous belief hole that, in my view, will final for many years to come back.”
CNBC has requested Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain to touch upon what affect Iranian assaults are having on their relationships with Tehran and is awaiting responses.
Qatar pointed CNBC to the newest assertion from the nation’s prime minister and overseas minister on Tuesday by which they stated they, “strongly condemned Iranian assaults on the State of Qatar and different Gulf international locations,” including that the justifications supplied by Tehran are “completely rejected.”
Motorists drive previous a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike within the industrial district of Doha on March 1, 2026.
Mahmud Hams | Afp | Getty Photos
The Gulf Co-operation Council, a political and financial union of six Gulf states, has issued statements condemning Iran’s “treacherous” and “heinous” assaults, saying they are going to take “all needed measures” to defend their safety and territory.
Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have threatened to retaliate in opposition to Iran, however they’ve stopped in need of probably escalatory motion, for now.
Iran has each acknowledged the injury being carried out to its already-tense relations with neighboring states, whereas persevering with on the identical path.
Final weekend, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for the assaults, stating: “We don’t intend to invade different international locations. Allow us to put aside all of the disagreements, considerations, and resentments we have now towards one another. At the moment, allow us to defend our personal soil to carry Iran out of this disaster with dignity.” Shortly after, nevertheless, Iran fired rockets towards a U.S. air base within the UAE.
Pezeshkian’s apology additionally prompted a backlash from hardliners in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and clerical elite, with hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai berating the president on social media, saying: “Your stance was unprofessional, weak and unacceptable.”
Vantor satellite tv for pc picture reveals the broken sections and burnt areas of the Ras Tanura oil refinery following an incident.
Maxar | 2026 Vantor | Getty Photos
Iranian spokesperson Bagheaei reiterated Pezeshkian’s apology to CNBC however stated neighboring international locations had been being utilized by the U.S.
“We’re very, very sorry that within the holy month of Ramadan, the territories of some regional states, some international locations of the area, are being abused by the USA to assault different Muslim international locations.”
Michael Herzog, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., advised CNBC Tuesday that folks within the Gulf he has spoken to “are actually upset with what the Iranians have been doing.”
“Iran focused the Gulf states, their infrastructure and never solely American bases but in addition vitality infrastructure and civilian targets, in a bid to get them to stress the Trump administration to cease the warfare earlier,” he advised CNBC’s “Squawk Field Europe.”
“I do not suppose it labored effectively for Iran as a result of it remoted itself within the Gulf and obtained all of them to come back out in opposition to Iran,” he stated, including: “Iran additionally wished to indicate that that is going to be a regional warfare, however I feel they miscalculated.”
