The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump may ask Gulf countries to contribute financially to cover the costs of the ongoing US-Israel war surrounding Iran. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, when asked whether Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates would bear a large share of the expenses as they did during the 1990–91 Gulf War, said the president might be interested in making such an appeal and that further details could come soon.

The first Gulf War began after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, when regional states along with Japan, Germany, and South Korea financed much of the war effort under a US-led coalition. In the current conflict, which the United States initiated, Gulf nations have shown reluctance to participate, fearing economic fallout from potential Iranian retaliation. Analysts cited in the report said these countries are already facing significant revenue and infrastructure losses.

Levitt also stated that over the past four weeks, the United States has carried out strikes on more than 11,000 targets in Iran, while Trump has warned that Iran’s power plants, oil fields, and Kharg Island could be destroyed if it fails to meet US conditions.