Gulf Nations Brace for Conflict as Iran Expands Threats

More than 3,000 drones and ballistic missiles targeted the United Arab Emirates during the recent conflict, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Most were intercepted, but the scale of the attack underscores the vulnerability of Gulf states caught in the crossfire.

The region is preparing for a potential return to all-out war. Concerns are mounting that the United States and Israel may launch new strikes on Iran shortly after the U.S. midterm elections held on Tuesday. Two Iranian officials stated that their delegation departed Qatar after days of negotiations, though communication with Washington persists via the Qatari mediator. The officials requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Tehran has intensified its public messaging, indicating readiness for both diplomatic resolution and renewed combat. The Islamic Republic is awaiting a final U.S. response to a proposal that would fully open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping within two days if Washington meets specific conditions.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that he had a "very good" phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. Trump said the leaders discussed Iran but provided no further details. Netanyahu and his bloc lost their parliamentary majority in last week's election. Since that vote, the prime minister has publicly commented only on the election results. His office issued no statement regarding the recent call with Trump.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader of Iran, met with military chiefs and directed that any threat from the U.S. or Israel be met with an immediate response without geographic limits. He urged an expansion of the list of potential targets. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the opening strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Feb. 28, which killed his father, the previous supreme leader.

Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief, warned on social media that any attack would result in devastating blows using new weapons. In an interview with state television, Rezaei described the change in U.S. tone as a very good sign. He acknowledged receiving a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance but said Iran has not responded. Rezaei noted that while no decision has been made to change Iran’s nuclear doctrine, some Iranians are questioning if that stance should shift if attacked again.

U.S. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Turkmenistan on Monday. He stated that the final outcome of the talks depends on answers provided by the United States to Iranian questions. Washington seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and wants to address the issue in any new negotiations. Iran prefers to discuss the nuclear issue later.

At the Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash told attendees that the region does not want another round of confrontation. He acknowledged that the stances of the U.S. and Iran are far apart and warned that if these positions are not bridged, the worst must be expected. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that a second round of escalation will be more dangerous and destructive.

China plans to send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Middle East Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry. China and Oman called for a return to dialogue.