Gulf states urged to overhaul trillion‑dollar defence after Iranian drone and missile attacks

The International Institute for Strategic Studies says Gulf states must rethink their defence spending after a wave of Iranian attacks threatened the region. The study, cited by The Guardian, argues that reliance on U.S. support and costly, high‑end weapons may no longer be sustainable.

In the weeks leading up to the 8 April ceasefire, twelve regional states – most of them Gulf countries – faced 4,670 Iranian one‑way attack drones and more than 1,400 ballistic missiles. Almost half of those weapons were directed at the United Arab Emirates. While the majority were intercepted, the report estimates damage to energy infrastructure could reach $58 billion (£43 billion).

The institute warns that the economic strain from the attacks and doubts over the value of U.S. bases in the region mean Gulf governments will need to reconfigure their trillion‑dollar defence portfolios.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the financial and strategic pressure on Gulf nations to adjust their security policies in response to Iranian threats.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

30 Oct 2026, 18:19 IST

Key names

US-Iran, Gulf, Iranian, IISS

Section

World

Figure cited

The report says that in the weeks before the 8 April ceasefire, 12 regional states, overwhelmingly in the Gulf, faced 4,670 Iranian one-way attack drones and more than 1,400 ballistic missiles. (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianGulf states must rethink trillion-dollar defence in light of US-Iran war, says report 30 Oct, 18:19

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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