Salem Al Ketbi, a UAE political analyst, wrote in an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post that the main threat to Middle East security is the Islamic Republic’s offensive missile program, not the efforts of Gulf countries to strengthen their defensive capabilities.

He argued that Tehran has turned missiles into a tool for deterrence, applying pressure, and expanding regional influence, while Gulf countries have mainly relied on defensive systems.

By referring to the 2026 war between the United States and the Islamic Republic, Al Ketbi considered missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries as a sign of these countries’ vulnerability and emphasized that economic stability and international relations have not prevented them from being targeted.

He also wrote that the Islamic Republic’s use of cheap missiles and drones has imposed heavy defense costs on the countries of the region.

According to him, lasting regional security requires a real limitation on the Islamic Republic’s offensive missile capability or recognizing the right of Gulf countries to create proportional deterrence.