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Iran’s ‘stunning strategic miscalculation’ could accelerate Gulf ties to Israel, ex-CENTCOM director predicts
By Taylor Penley
Published March 03, 2026
A "stunning strategic miscalculation" by Iran’s leadership could ultimately push several Gulf states closer to formal ties with Israel, a former U.S. military official said Tuesday, arguing Tehran’s broad attacks across the region have backfired and reshaped the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.
The Gulf Cooperation Council "has already decried Iran and has already vowed to get back at Iran for this," former CENTCOM Communications Director Joe Buccino told "Fox & Friends First."
"I think this could possibly set the Gulf states on path towards normalization with Israel, which would reset the region, particularly if you have a new leadership, a new regime, in Iran that's not a hard-line regime."
The retired Army colonel's comments came after Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. interests in neighboring countries in the region following the start of Operation Epic Fury on Saturday.
IRAN'S TERROR PROXIES FROM IRAQ-TO-LEBANON SAY READY TO RESPOND TO US-ISRAEL ATTACKS
A man walks past a housing compound as a tall plume of black smoke ascends following an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone Tuesday. (Fadel SENNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Several Gulf states, including Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones in the past four days.
Those countries, along with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait, joined the United States in issuing a joint statement condemning Iran's "indiscriminate and reckless" missile and drone strikes across the region.
The statement said the strikes endangered civilians, damaged infrastructure and violated the sovereignty of multiple states.
TOMAHAWKS, B-2 STEALTH BOMBERS AND ATTACK DRONES POUND OVER 1,000 IRANIAN TARGETS IN 24-HOUR BLITZ
President Donald Trump takes questions from the media during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Retired Gen. Jack Keane addressed Gulf state pushback during a Fox News appearance, telling "Fox & Friends Weekend" that the conflict could escalate into a "regional war."
"This backfired on the Iranians…" Keane said.
"The Gulf states are responding. They’re adequately defending themselves [with technology supplied by the U.S.]… they’re frustrated with the Iranians," he added.
Keane told Fox News' Griff Jenkins that three Gulf states are preparing for combat, but declined to identify them.
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"One has already started, and two others are about to get going," he elaborated.
"I'm not going to talk about who they are, but that is being coordinated with Adm. Cooper and Central Command. These will be coordinated, selected targets, and they will contribute to the offensive nature of what's taking place – the IDF, Central Command and the Gulf states."
Fox News' Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/irans-stunning-strategic-miscalculation-could-accelerate-gulf-ties-israel-ex-centcom-director-predicts