Divide and Rule: Iran's Strategy to Prevent a Unified Response in the Gulf

Iran is shifting its attacks from the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain and Kuwait, aiming to exploit historical tensions and small geographic size to sow panic and prevent a unified military response from Gulf states. The attacks include interceptions of missiles and drones, damage to critical civilian infrastructure, and naval escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran is shifting its focus of attacks from the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain and Kuwait, aiming to exploit historical tensions and small geographic size to sow panic and prevent a unified military response from Gulf states. The attacks include interceptions of missiles and drones, damage to critical civilian infrastructure such as desalination plants and power stations, and naval escalation in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Houthis attacked Saudi Aramco facilities, leading to retaliatory strikes by the coalition in Yemen. Iran is employing a strategy of sowing confusion: it focuses fire only on Bahrain and Kuwait while sparing other Gulf members, making it difficult to form a unified Arab or regional response. Countries like Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia prefer diplomatic channels and secret contacts mediated by China to avoid full escalation. Despite damage to critical infrastructure and accusations of "war crimes" by the Gulf Cooperation Council, residents in Bahrain and Kuwait show resilience and express confidence in air defense systems.

Divide and Rule: Iran's Strategy to Prevent a Unified Response in the Gulf