US eyes Arab support for Iran war costs
Washington, March 31
The Trump administration on Monday signalled that Arab nations could be asked to help bear the financial burden of the ongoing military campaign against Iran, even as US forces continue large-scale operations in the region.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the idea of Gulf partners contributing to war costs was under consideration, echoing past arrangements during earlier US-led conflicts in the Middle East.
"I think it's something the President would be quite interested in calling them to do," she said when asked whether countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or the UAE would be expected to contribute.
She added, "I won't get ahead of him on that, but certainly it's an idea that I know that he has."
The comments come as the United States presses ahead with its military campaign in Iran, which the White House says has significantly degraded Tehran's military capabilities.
Leavitt said more than "11,000 enemy targets have been struck to date", while Iran's missile and drone attacks are "down by roughly 90 per cent."
She said US forces had destroyed "more than 150" Iranian naval vessels, leaving the navy "combat ineffective", and damaged or destroyed "nearly 70 per cent" of its missile, drone and naval production facilities.
At the same time, the administration is pursuing negotiations with Iran, describing the moment as "a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity" for Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
"Talks are continuing and going well," she said, adding that private discussions appear more constructive than public statements.
President Donald Trump has also ordered a "ten-day pause" on strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure to allow space for diplomacy.
The question of war financing comes amid rising costs associated with sustained military operations and heightened deployments in the region.
During the 1990-91 Gulf War, a significant portion of US military expenses was offset by contributions from allied Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an Indian, my main concern is the impact on oil prices and our diaspora in the Gulf. Any conflict or financial pressure there directly hits our economy and our people working abroad. The government should be watching this very closely.
The whole situation feels like a repeat of history. External powers creating instability, then asking locals to pay for the cleanup. Where does it end? The focus should be on diplomacy, not just who pays for the bombs.
Interesting to see the parallel with the 1991 Gulf War financing model. It makes logistical sense, but the optics are terrible. It looks like the US is conducting a mercenary campaign funded by Gulf kingdoms. Not a good look for promoting democracy.
The report says talks are going well privately. That's the only silver lining. A peaceful resolution is best for everyone, including India. We have good relations with both the Gulf nations and Iran. A full-blown war would be a diplomatic nightmare for us.
While I understand the financial logic, this approach feels transactional and short-sighted. It treats war like a business deal. The human cost, the refugees, the regional chaos—that's what matters most. Who pays for that?
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.