International employees have 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 Photographs
Iran has defended its strikes in opposition to its Gulf neighbors, telling CNBC that U.S. navy belongings situated in surrounding territories have been “official” targets in its struggle again in opposition to America and Israel.
However Gulf states instructed CNBC that the assaults have created a “large belief hole” that can final for years to come back.
Iran’s resolution 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 instructed CNBC on Monday that the Islamic Republic felt “no hostility” towards Gulf nations, however that U.S. navy belongings within the area have been official targets.
“We have now mentioned many instances that we really feel no hostility towards any nation within the area, towards the UAE, Bahrain, you identify it,” mentioned 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 battle? Or this battle was imposed on Iran for no motive?” he instructed CNBC’s Dan Murphy.
Baghaei mentioned Iran had aimed assaults “in opposition to navy bases and belongings” belonging to the U.S. within the area and mentioned this was “official beneath worldwide regulation” as Tehran was “defending” itself beneath Article 51 of the UN Constitution.
“All navy bases, installations and belongings that in any type or method are getting used to assist the aggressors are thought to be official targets … We had warned usually that if they begin battle in opposition to Iran, that battle wouldn’t be restricted solely to Iran. That was not a menace. That was due to the realities in our area. The navy bases of america are scattered round us,” Baghaei mentioned.
Empty apology?
Regardless of Iran’s insistence that it has solely focused navy belongings within the surrounding area, its assaults have focused crucial power infrastructure, notably oil services, in addition to navy bases, in neighboring nations.
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 lodges and residential buildings. Intercepted drones and missiles have additionally prompted harm to civilians and troopers, and several other fatalities.
A view of injury after an Iranian drone struck a number of buildings in Manama, Bahrain on March 1, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Photographs
Analysts say this technique has aimed to create most discomfort for Iran’s rapid neighbors, in addition to exhibiting that Tehran can shake the worldwide economic 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 strain 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 could possibly be impacted for years.
A senior UAE official, who is just not typically recognized by identify, instructed 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’re neighbours however it creates an enormous belief hole that, for my part, 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 most recent assertion from the nation’s prime minister and overseas minister on Tuesday during which they mentioned they, “strongly condemned Iranian assaults on the State of Qatar and different Gulf nations,” 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 Photographs
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 wanting doubtlessly escalatory motion, for now.
Iran has each acknowledged the harm being executed 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 nations. Allow us to put aside all of the disagreements, considerations, and resentments we’ve got towards one another. Immediately, 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 Photographs
Iranian spokesperson Bagheaei reiterated Pezeshkian’s apology to CNBC however mentioned neighboring nations have 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 nations of the area, are being abused by america to assault different Muslim nations.”
