President Donald Trump dismissed security concerns from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates following Iranian missile and drone strikes on both countries, declaring in remarks to reporters: "Even if we knew Gulf countries would be hit, big deal – we did what we have to do."
The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, represents a striking departure from seven decades of American security commitments to Gulf allies and raises fundamental questions about the durability of longstanding defense partnerships in the region.
Trump's comments came after Iran launched waves of strikes on Saudi and Emirati targets in retaliation for American military action. Riyadh intercepted approximately 60 drones over the weekend, while a Pakistani worker was killed by missile debris in Abu Dhabi. Both governments had reportedly expressed concern to Washington about inadequate warning of potential Iranian retaliation.
The president's dismissive response contradicts the core premise of Gulf security architecture established since the 1940s, when Franklin Roosevelt met Saudi King Abdulaziz aboard the USS Quincy to forge what became an enduring oil-for-security partnership.
"This is not how alliances work," said Kristian Ulrichsen, Middle East fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute. "Gulf states provide basing rights, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic cover. The understanding has always been that the U.S. treats their security as integral to American interests."
In this region, today's headline is yesterday's history repeating. Gulf states have grown increasingly skeptical of American security guarantees since the Obama administration's perceived inaction after struck Saudi oil facilities in 2019. 's first administration took a harder line on , but also pressured Gulf allies to pay more for American military presence.
