Gulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence as US-Iran war exposes overreliance on American bases, IISS warns

Gulf nations face a stark new security reality after the US-Iran conflict, with a new International Institute for Strategic Studies report urging a rethink of their trillion-dollar defence strategies. The study highlights that in the weeks before the 8 April ceasefire, 12 regional states—predominantly in the Gulf—were targeted by 4,670 Iranian one-way attack drones and more than 1,400 ballistic missiles, with nearly half aimed at the United Arab Emirates. While most were intercepted, damage to energy infrastructure may have reached $58 billion, underscoring the economic toll of relying on expensive, high-end systems and American support. The report questions the continued value of US bases in the face of Iranian missile and drone threats, suggesting that current defence postures may be ill-suited to new forms of warfare. As Gulf economies strain under the cost of conflict, governments must balance security needs with fiscal realities. The takeaway: the region can no longer assume American protection alone will suffice against a determined missile and drone campaign from Iran.