Only 300 kilometers separate the Iranian nuclear reactor in Bushehr from Kuwait. Emergency information is already being distributed to the population there in case of a radioactive leak.

"Please read and keep these guidelines for emergency use." This is how a multi-page document from the small Gulf state of Kuwait begins, circulating on social media and aiming to prepare citizens for the worst-case scenario: a nuclear incident in Iran due to the current escalation. The Iranian nuclear reactor in Bushehr is only about 300 kilometers from Kuwait as the crow flies – depending on the wind, the nuclear cloud could be in the Gulf in about an hour. Red alert.

Youssry Abu Shady, inspector of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), assesses the situation as follows:"If an attack were to occur on this reactor, it would be extremely dangerous. This reactor contains highly radioactive nuclear fuel, which would pose a threat comparable to that of Chernobyl, Fukushima, and others," said Shady."The consequences would affect not only Iran, but the entire region, especially the Gulf states."

Fear and concern prevail in the Gulf. Concern about economic losses, for example, due to an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz or attacks on oil fields, and fear of being drawn into the conflict. The Gulf countries are literally caught between two stools."Relations with Israel and Iran are complicated," says Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies."On the one hand, the states have made efforts to improve their relations with Israel; on the other, they have improved their relationship with Iran and made real progress there."

Saudi Arabia also on a rapprochement course with Iran

Not only Oman and Qatar maintain good relations with their Iranian neighbors – even Tehran's longtime regional rival, Saudi Arabia, has significantly improved its relationship with Iran over the past two years. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said a few months ago:

All we strive for is good relations with Iran. Our problem with Iran is its negative course, whether it's its nuclear program, its support for armed militias, or even its missile program—all of these things concern us. We are working with our partners in the region and around the world to find solutions to these problems.

He emphasized repeatedly that diplomatic solutions are preferable to military ones. The Gulf doesn't want open war. But if the situation escalates further, that's exactly what could happen: The US has numerous military bases in the Middle East – if Iran escalates the conflict, there's a risk of attacks on US military bases in Iraq or the Gulf.

"The Gulf states are very concerned"

"The Gulf states are very concerned," says Mustafa Kamel Sayyed of Cairo University."All of them now have good relations with Iran. And in the current conflict, despite their proximity to the US, they are actually more on Iran's side because they dislike Israel's behavior and because they don't want one country to dominate the entire region. There is also solidarity with the Iranian people among the population."

All Gulf states strongly condemned Israel's attack on Iran – even Tehran's old archrival, Saudi Arabia, referred to it as a"brotherly Iranian state," and the Crown Prince spoke by phone with the Iranian president. At the same time, those on the Arabian Peninsula do not want to jeopardize their good relations with the United States. Just in May, US President Trump was on his first official foreign trip to the Gulf and concluded billion-dollar arms deals. There, Trump also advocated for other states to join the so-called Abraham Accords, i.e., normalize their relations with Israel. But that seems unthinkable at the moment, given Israel's brutal actions in Gaza and the unresolved Palestinian issue.

Gulf states offer themselves as mediators

"There are two ways for the Gulf states to make peace with Israel," Mahjoob Zweiri of Qatar University told Al Jazeera a few months ago."One without conditions and one with. And Saudi Arabia is now saying very clearly: Only if there is a solution for the Palestinians and peace in Gaza can there be peace with Israel. So several Gulf states are speaking with one voice: There will be no peace with Israel until Israel pays something for it."

The Gulf states are currently offering themselves as mediators – it was not for nothing that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently traveled spontaneously to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Oman, in particular, is predestined to act as a mediator: The Sultanate has good contacts with Iran and was already a successful negotiator in the first Iranian nuclear agreement ten years ago. The most recent round of nuclear talks was torpedoed by Israel's actions.

And not only in Kuwait are many praying that the war and its consequences in the Gulf will pass. Or, as the final sentences of the potential nuclear emergency plan state:"Following these guidelines will help you—God willing—protect yourself and your family. May God protect Kuwait and its people from all harm!"