Gulf countries have raised concerns over the prospect of attacks by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region, which they fear could destabilise their regimes and escalate the war in the Middle East. For decades, Iran has used proxy militias as a pillar of its foreign and security policy, as a means to export its revolution, expand its regional influence and destabilise enemy countries. The most prominent examples are Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen but other brutal and influential Iran-backed militias also operate in Iraq and Syria. There are growing signs of Gulf countries trying to crack down on any Iranian proxy activity. “I think this is the number one existential threat for the Gulf states,” said Saab.

Source: The Guardian March 28, 2026 06:48 UTC