Trump says US was “shocked” by Iran targeting Qatar and other Gulf states
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Donald Trump said the United States did not expect Iran to strike Qatar and other Gulf countries, describing Washington’s reaction as one of shock following the latest escalation in the Middle East.
The remarks were made during a board lunch related to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.. Speaking about the widening regional conflict, Trump said Iranian retaliation had expanded beyond initial expectations.
“They were not supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East,” Trump said, referring to attacks affecting several Gulf states. “So they hit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Nobody expected that. We were shocked.”
The comments came amid a rapidly escalating confrontation in the region after military strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran triggered a wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting multiple countries across the Gulf.
According to regional reports, Iran’s retaliatory actions have included strikes directed at military facilities and strategic sites in several countries hosting US forces or supporting allied operations. The widening conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war and disrupted critical shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.
Trump’s remarks were delivered during a meeting primarily focused on governance issues surrounding the Kennedy Center, although the US president also addressed the ongoing geopolitical crisis during his comments to attendees.
The conflict has already triggered heightened security alerts, missile interceptions, and airspace disruptions across several Gulf states, as governments continue to monitor developments and strengthen defensive measures.
Analysts warn that continued retaliation and expanding targets could further destabilize the region, affecting global energy markets, international shipping routes, and aviation operations across the Middle East.
