A Surprise Strike: How Israel's Move on Iran Caught Gulf States Off Guard

The Gulf States found themselves in a tough spot last week. Israel's quick attack on Iran took them by surprise. It all started with a meeting in Norway. Forty-eight hours before the strike, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, was in Oslo. He was at a yearly gathering for diplomats. He met with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan. The two discussed important topics. Araghchi gave an update on the US nuclear talks. This was a big deal. The talks could affect the whole region. Prince Faisal had a warning for Araghchi. He said Israel was planning an attack. He advised Iran to hurry up and make a deal with the US. This wasn't new advice. Saudi Arabia had been saying this for months. They even sent their defense minister to Tehran in April to discuss it. This meeting shows how complicated things are in the Middle East. The Gulf States are trying to navigate a tricky situation. They have to deal with Israel, Iran, and the US. All of these countries have different goals. The Gulf States are in the middle, trying to keep the peace. But Israel's surprise attack shows how hard that is. It also shows how quickly things can change. The Gulf States have a lot to think about. They need to decide how to respond to Israel's attack. They also need to consider their relationship with Iran. And they need to think about the US. The nuclear talks are still going on. The Gulf States have a big role to play. They need to make sure their voices are heard. They need to make sure their interests are protected. It's a tough job. But the Gulf States have been doing it for a long time. They know the region well. They know the players. They know the stakes. They just need to make sure they're ready for whatever comes next. The Middle East is always changing. The Gulf States need to be ready to change with it.