Gulf states on high alert after U.S. strikes on Iran raise regional tensions

Gulf states hosting major U.S. military bases were placed on high alert Sunday after American airstrikes destroyed Iran’s main nuclear sites, raising fears of regional retaliation and a broader conflict that could engulf key energy exporters and destabilise global security.

President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces had "obliterated" key Iranian nuclear sites with bunker-busting bombs during early morning operations. He warned Tehran of further strikes unless it agrees to peace, escalating fears of a broader confrontation.

Heightened military and civilian alerts

In Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, high-level security measures were immediately enacted, sources told Reuters. In Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based, residents were urged to avoid main roads. The interior ministry issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) urging the public to limit travel for safety and to ensure accessibility for emergency services.

Bahrain's Civil Service Bureau also ordered 70% of government employees to work remotely until further notice. At the same time, the kingdom activated its national emergency plan, launched an emergency operations centre, tested sirens, and opened 33 shelters for civilian use.

Kuwait's defence council, meanwhile, declared a state of continuous session and began preparing shelters in major ministry compounds, as reported by the state news agency.

Nuclear safety and U.S. military assets at risk

Authorities in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates confirmed there were no immediate signs of nuclear contamination as a result of the U.S. strikes. However, the risk of retaliation remains high.

Tehran has previously vowed to target U.S. assets in the region, including major military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, if attacked.

"The direct involvement of the United States marks a critical threshold," said Hasan Al Hasan, senior fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "This risks drawing the Gulf states, particularly those hosting major U.S. military installations, into a wider and potentially protracted conflict."

Aviation disruptions intensify

The fallout has extended to global air travel. Singapore Airlines cancelled its scheduled flights to Dubai, while British Airways suspended routes to and from Dubai and Doha. The ongoing missile exchanges and instability have led multiple airlines to reroute flights away from Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, and Israeli airspace.

As Gulf states heighten their emergency responses, the region remains on edge. The escalation following U.S. strikes on Iran is testing the resilience of regional security frameworks and threatening to disrupt both global energy supplies and civilian life in key partner states.

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