Gulf states are preparing for possible new drone and missile attacks from Iran and Yemen as the United States moves more military equipment to the region. In Qatar, residents were kept awake by overflying aircraft; Aramco sent employees at its headquarters in Dhahran to work from home, the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh was evacuated and children in the Saudi capital were taught at home. American diplomats and embassy staff’s family members were also ordered to leave Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Iran has warned that any new US attacks could affect Israel, US bases and oil installations in the Gulf, while President Donald Trump has said an outcome would come soon without clarifying whether he meant military action.

The Gulf states are also seeking additional security partnerships as confidence in US protection declines. Qatar signed the Badr agreement with Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia to develop weapons systems jointly and share military technology; other countries may join. The arrangement follows the Mecca Pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, which provides for mutual support in the event of an attack. The Gulf states are not described as abandoning their ties with the United States, but as trying to reduce their dependence on a single security partner.