If Iran realises the US's oil-rich Arab allies are not on board with strikes, it could harden their negotiating position.
The Gulf states were more accommodating on the Houthi strikes, a former US official briefed on the matter told MEE without divulging which Gulf countries the US used as a launchpad for recent strikes.
Diego Garcia: The Indian Ocean base the US can use to target Iran Read More ».
The Trump administration has been courting the Gulf states to come on board as it ramps up a "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran.
Trump said on Monday that he plans to visit Saudi Arabia and potentially other Gulf states as early as May.
In response to the Gulf states' ban, the US has amassed B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, the official said.
The majority are located in the oil-rich Gulf states, where they are based at a string of strategic air and naval bases. »