Gulf states urged to rethink defence after US-Iran war, IISS report says
The study questions reliance on US bases and costly high-end weapons, after Iranian drone and missile attacks damaged regional energy infrastructure.
The gist
Story- A study by the IISS says Gulf states must reconfigure their defences
- Before the 8 April ceasefire, regional states faced thousands of Iranian drones and missiles
- Estimated damage to energy infrastructure reaches as high as $58bn
What's new
The International Institute for Strategic Studies says Gulf states will need to change their defence plans. The think tank's report links this to the damage done to their economies during the US-Iran conflict. It also questions whether American bases still offer much protection. The report covers the weeks before the 8 April ceasefire, when 12 regional states, mostly in the Gulf, were targeted by Iranian drones and missiles. Most were stopped, but nearly half the attacks were aimed at the United Arab Emirates.
Why it matters
For Indian readers, the report points to instability in an oil-rich region that supplies a large share of the country's energy. Damage to energy facilities can push up fuel and gas costs. Many Indians also live and work in the Gulf, so changes to regional security can affect jobs and remittances.
What others say
The Guardian reports the study's findings and its warning about overdependence on expensive, high-end weapons systems. The source material does not include reactions from other outlets or from governments in the region.
What we don't know yet
The sources do not say how Gulf governments will respond to the report. The $58bn damage figure is one estimate cited in the study, and the sources do not give a breakdown of how it was calculated.
Worth your time?
One tap helps idly bring you more of what matters.
Read the originals
Advertisement
