Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are close to the possibility of becoming involved in the Middle East war, according to the Wall Street Journal, a scenario that, if realized, would escalate tensions in the region.
WSJ: Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates closer to involvement in war against Iran
Specifically, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, US allies in the Persian Gulf, are moving closer to war against Iran, adopting a tougher stance after continuous attacks that have disrupted their economies, with the risk of Iran having long-term influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent measures have strengthened the US capability to conduct airstrikes and opened a new front of attack against Tehran. For now, they have not yet reached the point of openly deploying their military forces in the conflict, a threshold that Gulf leaders had hoped not to cross, as pressure mounts with Iran threatening to exert greater influence in the energy-rich region.
It should be noted that Saudi Arabia recently agreed to allow American forces to use the King Fahd air base on the western side of the Arabian Peninsula. Before the fighting, the kingdom had stated it would not allow the use of its facilities or airspace for attacks against Iran, in an attempt to stay out of war. This plan ultimately failed when Iran began launching missiles and drones at important Saudi energy facilities and the capital, Riyadh.
