After the escalation in the Middle East and Iranian strikes against US bases, Rabat is signaling full solidarity with its strategic partners in the Gulf through direct diplomatic talks.

Rabat – In a phase of drastically increasing regional tensions, the Kingdom of Morocco has reinforced its security policy positioning. On February 28, 2026, His Majesty King Mohammed VI sought the direct conversation with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. The reason for this concerted diplomatic initiative was the previous missile attacks on the territories of these friendly states, which shook the security architecture of the entire region.

Diplomatic offensive by the palace to reaffirm the partnership

According to official statements from the royal cabinet carried by state news agency MAP, the Moroccan monarch held separate phone calls with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE) and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (Bahrain). In these conversations, King Mohammed VI condemned the “despicable attacks” and the associated violation of the national sovereignty of the partner countries.

Rabat leaves no doubt about the seriousness of his promise of support. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry emphasized that the security of the Gulf states is inextricably linked to its own security. The Kingdom pledged full support in all defensive measures that must be taken to protect the national territory and citizens.

Iranian Justification and the Objectives of Operation True Promise 4

The military dynamics behind these diplomatic moves are complex. Tehran described the missile launches, codenamed “True Promise 4,” as an act of self-defense. According to reports from the KUNA agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the operation was a direct response to previous US-Israeli air strikes against Iran.

Tehran tried to differentiate in its communication with its Arab neighbors: the attacks exclusively targeted US military infrastructure, including the headquarters of the 5th Fleet in Bahrain and the Al-Udeid base in Qatar. Nevertheless, the impacts, for example in Abu Dhabi, demonstrably caused civilian casualties. In view of this development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and warned of a threat to international peace.

Regional context and the strategic divergence in the Maghreb

Morocco’s proactive role not only reflects its traditionally close ties with the Gulf monarchies, but also needs to be seen against the backdrop of deeper regional conflicts. While Morocco acts as a close ally of the US and Israel, it does not currently have diplomatic relations with Iran. The reason for this is Rabat’s allegations that Tehran supports the Polisario Front through Hezbollah and in cooperation with Algeria.

This geopolitical fault line is also reflected in the reaction of neighboring Algeria. While Morocco expressed a clear political condemnation, Algiers, according to current reports, focused primarily on protecting its own citizens through a crisis team. Algeria wants to become a permanent member of the so-called BRICS states, which also includes Iran. This diplomatic restraint highlights the different alliance structures in the Maghreb, in which Morocco is consolidating its role as a reliable anchor for the stability of its Gulf partners.

Morocco – Clear condemnation after Iranian strikes against US bases in the region