An Omani international affairs analyst has sparked significant debate following allegations that the United States is exerting pressure on Gulf states to shoulder the financial burden of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Salem al-Zahouri, an Omani journalist and political analyst, claimed in an interview with BBC Arabic that the White House has demanded payments totalling trillions of dollars. When asked if Washington was pushing Gulf capitals to fund the war, he described the situation as a form of racketeering.
According to al-Zahouri, leaked documents suggest that Washington is seeking approximately RM22.14 trillion (US$5 trillion) to continue the military campaign. Alternatively, a sum of RM11.07 trillion (US$2.5 trillion) has allegedly been requested as payment for achievements to date should the war end now.
Escalating costs and declining domestic support
As the hostilities persist, the financial toll on the United States has increased rapidly. Reports from the Pentagon indicate that outlays exceeded RM50.03 billion (US$11.3 billion) in the first week alone.
The Washington Post has further reported that the Pentagon requested an additional RM885.5 billion (US$200 billion) from the White House in response to continued Iranian counter-attacks.
These mounting costs, alongside rising oil prices and casualties, have impacted domestic public opinion. A recent survey of 3,335 adults found that 62 percent of respondents disapproved of the current administration’s handling of the Iran crisis, with only 38 percent expressing approval.
Regional criticism and shifting security perspectives
Against this backdrop, the US administration has intensified appeals to international partners, particularly those in the Middle East, to support the war effort. However, regional governments argue they are paying a heavy price for a conflict they did not initiate.
Oman Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi has labelled the attacks on Iran as illegal. He argued that the hostilities violate international law and suggested that the strikes, launched during a period of diplomatic progress regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, represent an attempt to reshape the region.
Disillusionment with security guarantees
Middle Eastern leaders have highlighted the disruptions to crude exports and the impact of Iranian strikes as evidence of the high cost of the conflict.
Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, noted that while Gulf states have long sought security guarantees from the US comparable to those provided to Israel, there is a growing realisation that such commitments may not materialise.
This shift in perspective reflects a mounting sense of disappointment with Washington across the Gulf capitals as the geopolitical situation remains volatile.
