Iran 'Focused on Hurting the United States' With Gulf Attacks, Expert Says

By Mary Coleman
Senior Political Correspondent, Wide World News
March 02, 2026

As regional tensions rise, Iran’s recent operations in the Gulf have sparked debate over whether the country is risking its standing among its neighbors. But according to political analyst Hassan Ahmadian of the University of Tehran, Tehran’s main focus is not the Gulf states themselves—it’s the United States and its military interests in the broader region.

When asked by Al Jazeera whether Iran was making a strategic mistake by antagonizing its Gulf neighbors, Ahmadian dismissed the notion. “Absolutely not… I do not think this is a rational choice,” he said, clarifying that the Iranian government’s operations are directed not against nearby Arab states but against what it sees as U.S. aggression and influence in the Middle East.

“Iran is focused—according to the official stance—on U.S. forces, U.S. bases, and basically American interests in the region,” he explained. “And those interests, as we can see from recent attacks, apparently also include the global oil and gas markets.”

The remarks shed light on Tehran’s evolving strategy as it faces mounting pressure from Washington. Over the past months, Iran has been linked to a series of attacks targeting energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the Gulf. These incidents have caused alarms in global markets, given the critical importance of the region in maintaining the steady flow of oil and natural gas supplies worldwide.

Ahmadian told Al Jazeera that Iran’s approach is designed to weaken the United States both militarily and economically. “Iran is focused on harming the U.S. in ways that also may negatively affect many others in the region,” he said. The implication, according to the expert, is that Tehran sees the economic ripple effects—particularly rising oil prices—as a means to pressure Washington into reconsidering its confrontational policies.

“By targeting energy infrastructure in Gulf countries,” Ahmadian continued, “Iran aims to increase pressure and force the United States to rethink its aggression against the country by driving up global oil and energy prices.”

Analysts see this as part of a broader “pressure-for-pressure” strategy. For years, Iran has sought to offset U.S. sanctions and isolation through regional influence, proxy networks, and asymmetric military tactics. Yet the growing frequency of attacks tied to Iranian-backed groups in the Red Sea, Iraq, and Syria has fueled fears that the confrontation could escalate into a wider conflict affecting global trade.

The Gulf, home to some of the world’s largest oil exporters, remains a flashpoint in this standoff. Washington maintains a significant military presence in the region, with key bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, all within range of Iranian drones and missiles. Tehran has repeatedly accused the United States of organizing hostile operations, including cyberattacks and covert activities aimed at undermining its regime.

While Iran’s leadership openly denies responsibility for attacks on civilian or economic targets, its rhetoric indicates a willingness to use indirect means to exert pressure. Ahmadian’s comments reflect how Tehran views its confrontation with Washington as part of a long-term struggle over influence and deterrence, rather than as a calculated campaign against neighboring Gulf states.

Still, the consequences for the region could be significant. Any disruption to energy infrastructure or maritime routes raises the risk of supply shocks, which could send global oil prices soaring. Gulf Cooperation Council members—especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—have so far avoided direct confrontation but remain deeply concerned about the spillover effects of Iran’s tactics.

For now, Iran appears determined to maintain its pressure campaign, calculating that economic uncertainty and energy instability will amplify its leverage in future negotiations. “Tehran believes it can change the game by raising the costs of confrontation,” said Ahmadian. But as tensions simmer across multiple fronts—from Yemen to Iraq—the risk is that what Tehran frames as strategic deterrence could instead push the Middle East closer to another unpredictable conflict.