Gulf States Are Panicking, Preparing for Chemical and Biological Weapons as Israel-Iran War Deepens
With missiles flying and nuclear sites in the crosshairs, Gulf states scramble to prepare for the unthinkable, even as they plead for restraint.
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As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), warned that the escalating violence poses “the most serious threat” to Gulf security and stability. In remarks made on Wednesday, the senior Kuwaiti diplomat outlined the GCC’s diplomatic push for a ceasefire and its preparedness for catastrophic scenarios, including chemical, biological, or nuclear attacks, as reported by Israel Hayom today.
Speaking to Arab media, Al-Budaiwi said the GCC, comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, is engaging with the United Nations, the United States, and other allies to de-escalate tensions. The council has sent diplomatic messages rejecting escalation, urging restraint, and advocating for renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. These efforts involve letters, closed-door meetings, and international forums, with the GCC pressing Washington to push Israel for an immediate ceasefire.
Established in the 1980s to counter external threats, notably during the Iran-Iraq War, the GCC is now confronting the risks of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched June 13 against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Al-Budaiwi highlighted the council’s advanced coordination, including a joint emergency management center that has simulated responses to unconventional weapons. The Gulf also operates radiation monitoring systems, sharing real-time data to detect anomalies from potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
The warning comes amid Iran’s missile barrages on Israel, including a Thursday strike on Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, which has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. Al-Budaiwi’s remarks underscore the Gulf’s delicate balancing act: pursuing diplomacy while preparing for the worst as the Israel-Iran war threatens to destabilize the Middle East.