The political scientist explained the reluctance of the Gulf countries to respond to Iran's strikes

Krylov: Gulf monarchies fear monetary, reputational and human losses

Sat, 03/14/2026 - 01:00

Photo: REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi

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There is no reason for the monarchies of the Persian Gulf to fight Iran, because this war will weaken them, Danila Krylov, a researcher at the Department of the Middle and Post-Soviet East at the INION RAS, said in an interview with Izvestia.

"The consequences of these traumatic events will affect people for a long time"

Izvestia collected monologues from eyewitnesses of the Beirut attack

"After all, in addition to strikes on some local objects, a very large number of infrastructure will be attacked on the principle of "after us, at least the flood". Taking into account Shiite fanaticism, this is a fairly predictable scenario that does not greatly please the Gulf monarchies and absolutely does not encourage them to conduct any offensive actions," the expert said.

The war started by Israel and the United States creates many problems for the countries of the Persian Gulf, the political scientist said.

"This is a purely American-Israeli-Iranian war. Why would anyone else participate in it? No one wants to. I don't think that, for example, Americans care about the destruction of non-American infrastructure in the Gulf countries. The Saudis do not want to receive burnt—out oil storage facilities, because these are big monetary losses," the analyst explained.

In addition, the monarchies of the Persian Gulf are trying to protect people, including tourists, who, for example, bring a significant part of their income to the UAE, he added.

"Besides, the question arises: what is the answer? A land army? But it is necessary to cross the Persian Gulf or enter Iraq and attack from its side. In any case, it is very expensive, and the result is absolutely unpredictable," the political scientist emphasized.

The Gulf states have modern tanks, aircraft, and artillery, but they do not know how to use them effectively, Krylov pointed out.

"Therefore, they do not want to be drawn into aggression, the end of which is not in sight, and in which the Americans will simply strengthen their positions, once again waging a war with someone else's hands," the Arabist concluded.