How did Cyprus and the Gulf respond?

During the 2026 conflict, both Cyprus and the Persian Gulf Arab states were drawn directly into the crisis, responding with a mixture of military mobilisations, defensive coalitions, and internal security clampdowns.

Cyprus: Defensive Alignment and Airbase Security

Although the presidents of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus initially denied that any missiles had been targeted at the island, the conflict quickly reached Cypriot territory, prompting a major international security response:

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Base Strikes and Evacuations: The British Royal Air Force (RAF) station at Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone strike, which damaged a runway. In anticipation of further Iranian strikes, the United States ordered the evacuation of non-essential workers from the island.

European Defensive Coalition: The attacks triggered a rapid military mobilisation by European allies to protect the island. Greece deployed frigates and F-16 fighter jets to defend Cyprus, while Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands sent warships to reinforce the island's maritime defence. Ireland also expressed its willingness to join this European defence coalition if requested, and Turkey deployed six F-16s and air defence systems to Northern Cyprus.

Tactical Operations: The UK utilised its bases on Cyprus to help intercept Iranian drones and defend Jordanian airspace. Additionally, in March 2026, Cyprus became the first country to operationally use the European Union’s GOVSATCOM secure satellite communications network, likely to coordinate its security efforts during the war.

The Gulf States: Covert Retaliation and Internal Security

The US-allied Gulf States—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain—took a highly active, and often covert, role in resisting Iranian actions:

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Covert and Joint Military Retaliation: While Saudi airspace was initially closed to US and Israeli offensive flights, the Gulf States launched major retaliatory operations against Iranian targets and their regional non-state allies:

Saudi Arabia launched unpublicized, covert "tit-for-tat" airstrikes directly on Iranian soil in late March 2026, as well as strikes against Iran-backed Iraqi militias. By July, the Kingdom publicly joined the US in conducting joint strikes against these militias in Iraq. To bolster its defences, Saudi Arabia invoked a mutual defence pact with Pakistan, securing the deployment of 8,000 Pakistani troops, 16 aircraft, and two drone squadrons.

The UAE carried out secret, deniable attacks inside Iran, including an April 2026 strike that targeted an oil refinery on Lavan Island.

Kuwait and Bahrain reportedly conducted airstrikes inside Iran in July 2026 (though Kuwait publicly denied participating in offensive operations). Kuwaiti forces also clashed directly with the IRGC during an attempted Iranian raid on Bubiyan Island.

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Pressure for Regime Change: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain collectively lobbied US President Donald Trump to continue the war until there was a fundamental change in Iran's leadership.

Qatar's Delicate Diplomacy: Qatar attempted to maintain a more neutral posture. Qatari air defences shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers after Iran attempted to strike Doha's airport and successfully targeted Qatar’s critical natural gas facilities at Ras Laffan. However, Qatar categorically denied that it had formally joined the US-led military coalition against Iran.

Domestic Crackdowns: Internally, the Gulf States launched aggressive prosecution campaigns against citizens and foreign nationals who shared unverified reports about Iranian attacks online to prevent public panic. Bahrain’s Cyber Crime Directorate went a step further, arresting local Shiite citizens who expressed support for the Iranian shelling, treating such actions as treason.