Turki al-Faisal on U.S.-Iran War: Gulf Leaders Saw It Coming

T(caps)he Middle East is once again at the center of global attention as U.S.-Iran relations turn into open conflict. A recent interview with former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al-Faisal shed light on how regional leaders view the crisis, while the long history of regime changes continues to shape the trajectory of this war.

Turki al-Faisal’s Observations

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Turki al-Faisal expressed surprise not at Iran’s retaliation, but at President Trump’s reaction. He noted that Gulf leaders had long warned Washington that military action against Iran would provoke a wider response:

If Trump was surprised, Saudi and other Gulf leaders weren’t.

On Israel’s role, al-Faisal dismissed the idea of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, pointing instead to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political motives. He argued that Netanyahu has used the war to deflect from domestic controversies and consolidate power, even attempting to reshape Israel’s constitution to expand his authority.

Regime Changes and Their Impact

The roots of today’s conflict lie in decades of regime changes that reshaped U.S.-Iran relations. Each regime change reinforced cycles of mistrust, laying the groundwork for today’s confrontation:

• 1953 Coup: The U.S. and UK overthrew Prime Minister Mossadegh, reinstating the Shah. This intervention bred resentment and mistrust.
• 1979 Islamic Revolution: Ayatollah Khomeini toppled the Shah, establishing a theocracy and turning Iran into a U.S. adversary. The hostage crisis cemented hostility.
• Post-Revolution Era: Washington backed Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War and imposed sanctions, deepening animosity.
• 2015 Nuclear Deal (JCPOA): A brief thaw collapsed when the Trump administration withdrew in 2018, reigniting confrontation.
• 2026 War Context: U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba’s succession was rejected by Washington, escalating the conflict further.

The Current War

The present conflict erupted in February 2026 with Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.–Israeli campaign targeting Tehran and nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on U.S. bases and allies across the Gulf. Casualties mounted quickly, destabilizing the region and threatening global oil markets.

Reports suggest some Middle Eastern countries privately told Iran they had no objection to attacks on U.S. interests — as long as they remained out of the media to avoid domestic backlash. This highlights the delicate balance regional leaders are trying to maintain between public opinion and geopolitical realities.