'Pick a side': Ambassador Huckabee corners Gulf states in Tel Aviv and demands an answer

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Wednesday, May 13, called on Gulf Arab nations to choose between Israel and Iran, arguing that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has demonstrated the advantages of closer ties with Israel.

Speaking at a conference in Tel Aviv, Huckabee said regional governments increasingly face a strategic choice as tensions involving Tehran continue to affect security and global energy markets.

His remarks came as the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States continued to strain oil supplies and fuel concerns about broader economic fallout. Diesel prices in parts of the United States reached record highs.

Mike Huckabee says Gulf Nations must decide

Huckabee argued that Gulf states should reassess their regional alliances following Iranian missile and drone attacks during the conflict.

“Pick a side. Which side are you going to pick?” Huckabee said. “Gulf states have now understood that they are going to have to make a choice. Is it more likely that they will be attacked by Iran or by Israel? And I think they can look around and say, you know, Israel helped us. Iran attacked us.”

The US envoy said the conflict had demonstrated that Israel is not a threat to Gulf nations and pointed to growing cooperation between Israel and several Arab states. 

“The lesson is that Israel is not your natural enemy. Israel is not out to destroy you. Israel is not trying to take over your land,” Huckabee said. “It’s not sending missiles into your civilian territories. Who’s doing that? Iran is.”

Huckabee also praised the United Arab Emirates as an example of regional cooperation with Israel. 

He said Israel had provided defensive assistance to the UAE during the conflict. “Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help them operate them,” Huckabee said.

Israel had secretly deployed an Iron Dome air defense system and military personnel to the UAE during the war with Iran. Iranian drones and missiles reportedly targeted all six Gulf states during the conflict, with the UAE among the countries most heavily affected.

Iran conflict drives oil supply concerns 

The continued instability in the Middle East has intensified concerns over global energy supplies and rising fuel prices.

The International Energy Agency said Wednesday that global oil inventories are declining at a record pace because of disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz. 

“The world is drawing oil inventories at a record pace as importing countries confront unprecedented disruptions to Middle Eastern supply,” the IEA said in its monthly report.

According to the agency, global oil stockpiles fell by 246 million barrels between March and April to 7.9 billion barrels. The report warned that shrinking reserves could lead to additional price spikes if disruptions continue.

The conflict has also sharply affected fuel prices in the United States.

AAA data showed diesel prices reached all-time highs on Wednesday, May 13, in Wisconsin (+82% to $5.87 a gallon), Michigan (+77% to $6.13 a gallon), Illinois ( +74% to $6.13 a gallon) and Indiana (+72% to $6.13 a gallon). National average diesel prices have climbed 60% over the past year to $5.66 per gallon.