Washington, March 18, 2026 — President Donald Trump expressed shock on Monday over Iran's broad retaliatory attacks on several Gulf countries, stating that the United States did not anticipate Tehran targeting regional allies following U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran.
Speaking at a White House event related to the Kennedy Center board, Trump remarked that Iran "wasn't supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East." He listed Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Kuwait as targets, adding, "Nobody expected that. We were shocked."
Trump repeated the sentiment later in the day when questioned about prior briefings, insisting, "Nobody, nobody, no, no, no. The greatest experts, nobody thought they were going to hit." He described the affected nations as "neutral" or ones that had coexisted with Iran for years, emphasizing that the strikes came as an unexpected escalation.
The comments follow the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, which began on February 28 with strikes aimed at Iranian military and nuclear-related sites. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks not only on Israel but also on U.S. allies in the Gulf, hitting energy infrastructure, airports, and other targets. Recent incidents include drone strikes on oil facilities in the UAE's Fujairah port, temporary airspace closures in Dubai, and disruptions at key energy sites in Abu Dhabi.
Multiple reports indicate that U.S. intelligence had warned of potential Iranian retaliation against Gulf states prior to the initial strikes. Sources familiar with intelligence assessments, including a U.S. official cited by Reuters, confirmed that such responses were considered likely, though not guaranteed. Analysts and Iranian officials had publicly signaled that Tehran might broaden its retaliation to include U.S. partners in the region if attacked.
Trump's remarks have drawn scrutiny, with some fact-checks highlighting that expert predictions and Iranian vows made such a response foreseeable. Despite the claimed surprise, Trump maintained that the U.S. would have proceeded regardless, stating in related comments that "big deal, I mean we have to do what we have to do."
The escalation has raised concerns across the Gulf, with allies expressing frustration over limited advance notice of the initial U.S.-Israeli actions. Oil prices have fluctuated amid fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, and the conflict—now in its third week—continues with exchanges of strikes involving Iran, Israel, and regional targets.
The White House has not detailed specific defensive measures for Gulf partners, though U.S. officials emphasize ongoing efforts to degrade Iran's missile capabilities. Trump has described Iran's remaining arsenal as significantly reduced following strikes on production facilities.
This development underscores the widening scope of the conflict, drawing in multiple nations and complicating diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
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