Israel’s recent attack on Iran did more than just escalate regional tensions—it revealed a deeper truth: Iran remains the only nation to have mounted a serious military response to the Zionist entity. 

Yet beyond this, the assault laid bare the duplicity of Arab Gulf states. Not only have these states failed to take any meaningful action in support of the Palestinian cause, but they have instead actively aided Israel in its operations against Iran—through intelligence-sharing, logistical coordination, and the use of their airspace and radar systems.

Arab Complicity with Israel 

Jordan, Syria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE are Arab states complicit in Israel’s attacks on Iran. The most recent wave of hostilities was directly facilitated by five Arab monarchies and Syria’s new transitional government.

A significant number of Arab states have long maintained political hostilities toward Iran and the Resistance Axis. As a rising regional power, Iran challenges the Gulf’s historic hegemony over the Middle East. 

Both overt and covert relations between Israel and several Arab governments continue to support Israel’s occupation and military aggression. Multilateral trade relations, weapons exchanges, and airfield access characterize their cooperation with Israel..

Direct Interception: Jordan

The Royal Jordanian Air Force has been intercepting Iranian missiles since Iran’s True Promise 1 operation. Jordanian authorities claim this is a necessary precaution to protect civilians, arguing that some missiles might fall on populated areas.

However, this justification lacks transparency. While Queen Rania advocates for Palestinian rights on global platforms, the Jordanian government maintains close political and economic ties with Israel.

U.S. military shipments routinely pass through Jordan’s airspace, and American weapons are transported via Jordanian airports to assist Israel’s military logistics. This dual posture persisted as Israel targeted Iranian civilians and infrastructure.

Airspace Operations: Syria

The new transitional government in Syria has adopted a markedly different foreign policy from the previous Assad administration. Israel exploited Syrian airspace to conduct attacks on Iran, including using Syrian territory for drone refueling.

In one documented instance, an Israeli F-16 carried out airstrikes on Iran and refueled over Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province.

The Jolani government has faced international backlash for failing to condemn Israel’s use of Syrian airspace. The U.S. has pressured the Syrian regime to normalize relations with Israel, and the Syrian president has not publicly denied such efforts.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani stated, “We have repeatedly emphasized that Syria will not pose a threat to any country, including Israel.” Damascus Governor Maher Marwan added, “We don’t want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel’s security.”

Though some argue Syria’s stance is understandable after years of war, this policy not only undermines the Palestinian cause but also enables Israel’s aggression across the region—against Iran, Lebanon, and Syria itself.

Meanwhile, Syrian factions have clashed with Lebanese clans, the Lebanese army, and Palestinian groups within Syria. By granting Israeli access to its airspace, the new Syrian regime tacitly endorses Zionist dominance in the region.

Radar Sites: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & UAE

While Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE were not directly involved in combat, they host radar sites that track Iranian missile activity. These sites are critical to Israel’s interception capabilities and are supported by the presence of U.S. military infrastructure, including CENTCOM’s forward headquarters in Qatar.

The U.S. has deployed AN/TPY-2 missile defense radar systems in both Qatar (24°30’39”N 51°08’00”E) and Saudi Arabia (24°04’26″N 47°40’56″E). These systems can detect ballistic missiles during their ascent and guide interceptors to destroy warheads mid-flight.

Bahrain possesses an AN/TPS-59(V)3B ballistic missile defense radar, awarded by the U.S. Marine Corps and used by the Bahrain Defence Force for air surveillance. It also hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters.

Following the 2020 Abraham Accords, Bahrain and Israel signed a defense memorandum to deepen military cooperation. Their longstanding security ties have supported Israel’s intelligence efforts in countering Iranian retaliation.

The UAE is the only country aside from the U.S. and Israel to possess two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, these systems are designed to intercept ballistic missiles launched from Iran or Yemen.

While the UAE’s THAAD systems were not formally engaged in the hostilities, their intelligence-sharing with Israel serves to enhance Israel’s regional defense capabilities.

Iran Attacks U.S. Military Base in Qatar

On June 23, Iran launched 14 missiles at the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in retaliation for the American attack on three Iranian nuclear sites. The number of missiles matched the 14 launched by the U.S. in its prior assault.

The attack was largely symbolic—no casualties were reported, and Qatari officials were informed in advance. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council clarified that the operation was strictly targeted at the U.S. presence and “did not pose any threat to our friendly and brotherly country, Qatar, and its noble people.”

Systematic Cooperation

Despite their complicity, most of the aforementioned states issued public condemnations of the conflict. After Iran’s True Promise 1 operation, the U.S. hosted a meeting in Manama with Israeli officials and senior generals from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

According to U.S. statements, military cooperation with these Arab countries enabled advance intelligence gathering ahead of the Iranian strikes. Officials also confirmed Jordanian and Saudi involvement in intercepting Iranian missiles.

Such condemnations should be viewed with skepticism. The war has disrupted Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies—GCC stock markets have dipped since Israel’s June 13 strike, and oil prices have spiked sharply.

The cost of complicity is not just moral—it’s financial.