UAE and Qatar lobby to limit US strikes against Iran as conflict widens

Just 48 hours after US and Israeli strikes hit Iran, the war has expanded rapidly. Countries claiming neutrality are being drawn in as their bases, infrastructure, and citizens face retaliation. UAE and Qatar have begun urging allies to persuade President Trump to keep military operations short, according to sources. This pressure reflects growing concerns among regional partners about escalating risks to their own security and economic stability.

Mona Yacoubian, CSIS Middle East Program Director, joins Bloomberg to analyze the situation. She discusses how extended conflict could force reluctant allies to choose between supporting US operations and protecting their own interests. The longer the fighting continues, the harder it becomes for nations to remain on the sidelines without facing consequences.

Market implications are becoming clear: prolonged conflict threatens oil supplies from the region, potentially driving prices higher and increasing volatility for investors. Businesses operating in the Gulf face heightened risks to supply chains and operations. UAE and Qatar are now actively working to contain the conflict, recognizing that their economic futures depend on regional stability.

Yacoubian emphasizes that alliances are being tested in ways not seen in decades, with profound implications for global markets and regional power dynamics.