In the days leading up to US and Israeli strikes on Iran, the Islamic Republic’s neighbours were fearful that strikes on the country could destabilise the entire region. “If the United States strikes, Iran will retaliate, and the crisis will spread throughout the region, with the Strait of Hormuz blocked and actions by its proxies,” a diplomatic source from a country bordering Iran told AFP. “The chaos in Iran would affect Turkey and the European Union, potentially leading to a massive influx of refugees,” the source added. Fear of an Iranian responseThe main concern among Washington’s allies in the Gulf is Iranian retaliation against the US forces they host or their own infrastructure. In June 2025, Iran attacked the American Al-Udeid base in Qatar in response to US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day war triggered by an Israeli attack.

Source: Punch February 28, 2026 09:31 UTC