US President Donald Trump has said that several Arab nations are now seeking to join the military campaign against Iran after coming under Iranian attack, calling the shift “the biggest surprise” so far, according to CNN.
In an interview with CNN, Trump stated that Iran had targeted regional countries including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, prompting what he described as a major change in their approach.
Trump said the US had initially told those countries that it would handle the situation, but they now want to take an active role and are “aggressively fighting.” He added that they had originally intended to remain minimally involved but are now insisting on participation.
Despite Trump’s remarks, reports from the region indicate that while Gulf nations have strongly condemned Iran’s strikes, most have so far avoided direct military engagement, citing concerns about broader regional escalation and political sensitivities tied to confronting Tehran openly.
The US and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday. In response, Iran launched attacks on US military bases in the Middle East, including facilities in Qatar as well as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Fighting intensified on Monday as Israel and Iran exchanged further strikes.
Iran’s latest wave reportedly included missiles and drones that hit not only military-related sites but also civilian areas, including luxury hotels and residential buildings in parts of the UAE, heightening concern across the Gulf.
Trump described Arab leaders as “tough and smart” and said Iranian strikes on civilian targets had angered them. He claimed that attacks on a hotel and an apartment building shifted their stance, noting that they had previously been observing events from the sidelines and had no initial reason to intervene.
He also cited Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a long-standing factor behind regional tensions, saying countries in the region had been living under a “dark cloud” for years.
As the conflict entered its third day, Trump said the US military was heavily striking Iran and that operations were progressing well. He described the campaign as powerful and emphasised that the United States possesses what he called the world’s greatest military capability.
When asked whether Washington was taking steps beyond military action to assist the Iranian public, Trump responded affirmatively but said the immediate priority was safety, urging people to remain indoors.
He warned that the situation could escalate further, stating that the most significant phase of military action had not yet occurred and that a “big wave” was still to come.
