Iran’s retaliation backfires, pushing Gulf allies toward the US, says Hegseth

Pete Hegseth argues Iran’s strikes have backfired by pulling Gulf Cooperation Council members—like the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait—closer to the United States as CENTCOM reports a broad campaign with U.S. bombers striking nearly 200 targets in 72 hours and expanding basing; regional allies condemn Iran’s actions while increasing cooperation with Washington, with analysts suggesting Iran miscalculated by striking U.S. assets in third-country territories.