Gulf States Build Defenses and Bypass Hormuz as 70% of Qatar LNG Output Was Hit
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 8
Gulf States Build Defenses and Bypass Hormuz as 70% of Qatar LNG Output Was Hit
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 8
Summary
Gulf officials said they are accelerating air and maritime defenses and expanding routes outside the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S.-Iran war shows no clear end.
Since February, states that long relied on Washington have diversified military support toward South Korea, Ukraine and Turkey, arguing that U.S. alliances remain vital but are no longer sufficient on their own.
Qatar said a single drone strike knocked out about 70% of its LNG supply—equal to 20% of global LNG output—highlighting how exposed Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar remain because they cannot bypass Hormuz by land.
U.S. strategy has shifted toward sanctions and naval pressure rather than a major new campaign, but Gulf officials and experts warned Iran has absorbed sanctions before and may instead harden its stance.
Retired U.S. Vice Adm. John Miller said the conflict shows the limits of sea power, with Iranian missiles and drones still reaching Hormuz and similar threats spreading to Bab al-Mandab.