Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Mar 15: Donald Trump described several Gulf nations as “terrific” while expressing surprise over Iran targeting them during its retaliatory actions amid the ongoing regional conflict.

Referring to the situation, Trump said the Gulf countries “got shot at unnecessarily” and noted that Iran’s decision to strike them was “the biggest surprise I had of this whole thing.”

For decades, countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman have hosted American military bases or provided access and infrastructure to the United States military.

These nations have also been among the largest purchasers of American weapons and defence technology. In return, the United States has long served as the Gulf region’s primary military partner and security guarantor.

However, analysts say several Gulf countries are increasingly concerned about the evolving situation as they find themselves drawn deeper into a conflict they neither initiated nor supported diplomatically.

Although Gulf governments had anticipated some backlash from Tehran, the scale of Iran’s retaliation has reportedly come as a shock. According to analysts, Gulf states had assured Tehran that none of their bases would be used to launch attacks against Iran.

Despite those assurances, Iran has reportedly launched thousands of drones and missiles targeting infrastructure across the region, including airports, military bases, oil refineries, ports, hotels and office buildings, escalating tensions and raising fresh concerns about regional security.