Netanyahu Confirms "Strategic Shift" as Gulf States Seek Military Alliances with Israel Against Iran

PM Netanyahu confirms Israel is forming alliances with Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to conduct joint military operations against Iran.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 9:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Maariv daily and the "What the Hell is Going On" podcast, March 19, 2026.

From Secret Conversations to Active Military Alliances

During a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a significant breakthrough in regional diplomacy, stating that Israel is now "forming alliances with Arab countries that are talking about fighting together on our side." Netanyahu reflected on years of "secret conversations" with Arab leaders where he warned that a nuclear-capable or aggressive Iran would eventually seek to "conquer and overthrow" their kingdoms. According to the Prime Minister, the recent escalation in regional conflict has led these nations to finally "internalize" the threat, shifting their posture from cautious neutrality to active collaboration with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Ambassador Leiter Reports Unprecedented Requests for Assistance

The Prime Minister’s comments were bolstered by statements from Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington. Speaking on the "What the Hell is Going On" podcast, Leiter detailed a dramatic warming of relations over the past month. He specifically named the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait as nations that have moved closer to Israel. Most notably, Leiter claimed these countries have reached out to Israel directly to request assistance, a move that would have been unthinkable in previous decades.

Joint Action and the "Epic Fury" Effect

The catalyst for this shift appears to be the perceived success of Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently claimed resulted in "regime change" in Tehran. With the traditional Iranian power structure neutralized or in flux, Gulf monarchies are viewing Israel as the primary regional security guarantor. Leiter hinted at the possibility of joint military action, stating that "Israel and her allies will continue to act," suggesting that future operations in the Middle East may involve a coalition of Israeli and Arab forces.