Trump Administration Promotes US Companies for Gulf Infrastructure Rebuilding After Iranian Strikes

The UAE was targeted with at least 2,000 ballistic missiles and drones. Countries most affected by the damage are also the most exposed to Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, unlike Saudi Arabia, which has a pipeline bypassing the chokepoint via the Red Sea.

Gulf states have substantial financial resources for rebuilding, including Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund valued at $1 trillion, which is comparable to those of the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The US Secretary of State said this week that the UAE and other Gulf states were seeking currency swap lines from the US, which would allow them to tap into US dollars while their energy exports are stalled.

Kuwait, located at the northeastern corner of the Gulf, sustained damage from Iranian air strikes, including hits on US military bases such as Camp Arifjan and Ali al-Salem Air Base. Reuters reported that Kuwait International Airport suffered significant damage, and at least two major power and water desalination plants were affected.

Bahrain, an island kingdom connected to Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Causeway, also experienced substantial damage. Bahrain's port, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, was targeted, along with key industrial sites. The Financial Times reported that Amazon's cloud computing operation in Bahrain was hit by Iranian strikes.

Aluminium Bahrain, one of the world's largest single-site smelters, was attacked and declared force majeure due to the damage. Bahrain's Bapco refinery also declared force majeure after the strikes. US and Arab officials indicated that the US has not yet advocated for specific companies but aims to position American firms prominently in reconstruction efforts.