# Why is Iran bombing Gulf states while avoiding US naval assets and Israel?

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-20 14:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Iran has shifted its military focus toward bombing Gulf states, including Kuwait and Jordan, while notably avoiding strikes on Israel and US naval assets.

## Intelligence Brief
Current reports detail a series of Iranian bombing campaigns targeting various Gulf states. According to coverage from Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post, Iran is specifically shifting its focus toward the Kingdom of Jordan and other regional neighbors. Reports from inss.org.il highlight that Kuwait has become a central point of these attacks. This military activity is occurring amidst a broader geopolitical shift where Iran is conducting strikes on these nations while simultaneously avoiding engagements with US naval assets and Israel. The specific nature of these targets suggests a deliberate strategy of regional escalation that excludes certain high-profile adversaries. Several major outlets are analyzing the implications of these strikes.


The Jerusalem Post reports that citizens within the Gulf states are expressing anger and concern regarding the Iranian aggression. The Independent describes the current situation as a war with Iran that is spreading across the Gulf, characterizing the role of Donald Trump as a toxic ally in this context. Meanwhile, The Times of Israel has provided a platform for a former Saudi general who described the Iranian actions as barbaric and urged that there be serious consequences for the attacks. These reports collectively emphasize a climate of high tension and a perceived lack of stability in the region. Contextualizing these events, Kurdistan24 examines the reasons why the affected Gulf states are currently avoiding direct military retaliation against Iran. This hesitation occurs as the regional dynamics shift, creating a complex security environment where traditional alliances are being tested.


New Lines Magazine has analyzed the potential paths forward for both Iran and the Gulf states, suggesting that the current trajectory is part of a larger strategic calculation. The avoidance of Israel and US naval assets during these strikes is a key point of inquiry for analysts attempting to understand Iran's current objectives and constraints. Looking ahead, the focus remains on how the targeted nations will respond to the continued aggression. The Jerusalem Post continues to monitor the reasons behind the specific targeting of Jordan, while inss.org.il remains focused on the centrality of Kuwait in the conflict. Observers are watching to see if the former Saudi general's call for serious consequences will manifest in policy changes or military movements. Coverage does not yet specify the exact duration of these strikes or a definitive end date, meaning the risk of further escalation across the Gulf remains a primary concern for regional stability.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| New Lines Magazine | The Paths Forward for the Gulf States and Iran | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxNYTVIX3ZDaFB1ZkJVSlVKYUF3MGU5TlQ1WDlTQnZsQjVnUEFyaEc1YjFmY3ZSNWprQndET25hSzQySjI0NnpNQkxRci1TYlhTRVRuc0gzTEp4YjJfbnEtRGY4TGo2ZlhFSURMd3NQUXZVMm52el96LWFLWFRYY1ViS3hfblBfZ0U?oc=5) |
| The Independent | Trump is a toxic ally. His war with Iran is once again spreading across the Gulf | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxQRmlobjZYNTRWWHJQYjltQVlHbzNHMzR0dGZVVndyaEFMeUtuajhZejZQT3JlTEtSVHJydW43VTlJX015LUhzQ1h3SHNVQjlTeUlmY3N0ajVjaFNreERWNWU5T1RsMHpKWHk5dUU3ZHdldlRfMklzSmxER1NFZlA3azhpaUg1ZUJ5WGJsT2FULWMwZGNTdmx2OEhQM011Snc5dnl0eUhyZkNyQ3NIcklOYWR4bUZKQQ?oc=5) |
| The Jerusalem Post | Gulf State citizens concerned, angry at Iran for strikes on their countries | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiXEFVX3lxTE5ibm5mYzFtX0NMRjNwMVY4ai1JUDRJVE9ZNzdFdTNnQjRBV0hpcXN1b09tTzd0LXJHaUpId0NoUXo2YkhGVmVSSDdHNkI3dm5BbHF0a0pCbjdCV2lo?oc=5) |
| inss.org.il | The Iranian Attacks: Why is Kuwait at the Center? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxQMWdrbTlDYk5RRFVaYjFnVWtqQjBFVlp3TjZaaklNY0lJZjR5QzFJOGxkN3BMV256SDlNSXNVT1ZHaWcwNDY3SmQ5N0hNc3RGSmQxOUgyN0NaREpJTE4xSmNSOHFtUGwtdUZ3SXZMNzZ6dU9TS2NsSEFURm5PTUhwOXNQMDRnelNzVWw2cmxB?oc=5) |
| Kurdistan24 | Why Gulf States Are Avoiding Military Retaliation Against Iran | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxPWEpqRFV2YWJoMVhhb3RhTUZIWVE1TmJKNTZ3RktBZzc2V1YwXzZJdkR2d3R3eXBDelRtRHdKdEM5RkZPVEtfTV81MC1pN2d4MXFRVmpIazcwZkllZkRuUVFiQ21aZmFOLVlSdzcxbTZGLTdPblU5eFlLSGxlYmJnaXJhQ2ZwYU9nbmhOQXZHdk5uUk5wSkQ5ZXVrT0tEWVdsLWtUWmNYRDZRQQ?oc=5) |
| The Times of Israel | In rare interview with Israeli TV, former Saudi general urges 'serious consequences' for Iran's 'barbaric' actions | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi6gFBVV95cUxPanJqOG9BbEFkSnZ1VkdnMl9aZWRUSFJKSExuOXNfUXc0VTBYcWJhbS1vNk5PRllNY3dSQVFfNFduRTZ5XzJTQzhXamZnbks4ekdHeklBd3phYU1FZUVVLWxqWWx0S1dqX1hYOGl0aUFhYU9kUEVCLTV0SlJXa3lXV053MDVLeHFZSzNyR04tYkJiU2JscUFjQmhxMXdZVkJjSkotelRpMU5wa3NvVlU3dDJEcTVram1TU1VKbko1NGlzbWYwX2ZoSzhzWFNVQzhoLXNZLXN6OWhwc0ZGRTFncGxWLTJnV0RiSEE?oc=5) |
| The Jerusalem Post | Why is Iran shifting its focus and attacking the Kingdom of Jordan? - analysis | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiakFVX3lxTE9pVmhKczdkdjg1SUdoYllLUUttSnNLTzFVV2VkZ2RYRDVvdDVZM2M1VVlOTnE5cVJWN1BqWks5THctSXNvUjlFbkZYSnVyTWVrc25lQXZNdlBsVWNCQlBraE9wc1pqLXVPbmc?oc=5) |
| Al Jazeera | Why is Iran bombing Gulf states while avoiding US naval assets and Israel? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxPR0FSbVZUUGJ1R1hmeHFzWVNORnNieXpxTnFubFhrQ2FMT1M4ZXZwS0I0bmlFa3NMdF9WTllFT3BLSU84dHRSbUdkVjhBZjlyN0x4bWQ0eW4tck5MQzFJWm9yR0hCNUM5ZkpCT24ydm9kWWpobk5Mdnl0UWtSaFpUbThGa3RKNG00ZWFkTnlfZHZzbjZ0TWFTTW1WdF9oNVdERFFvN2h2Skd0Z3JoLWF5bWlKMXLSAboBQVVfeXFMT3JMRHotZVd1cm5DYjFiOHZRNE0zNk5qZWNhdVJQWWEzQTJReGJjdXdpYUc3TWF4SHEzZUZFNmVhb2NmU28tRnNxUW44OHFXREhzR28xLVUzUHJiVEtMSU82Z25qdmJxSTJ2a0dScUI0UFlfdkpzdnBmXzdRRHZ2VlpodV8wTWplRTF2SFBHN1RiQ19WQmVzOEpfNDBqSmx) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-20/why-is-iran-bombing-gulf-states-while-avoiding-us-naval-assets-and-israel*