Seymour Hersh says US risks losing support from Middle East allies

Wednesday 19 August 2026 - 13:42

By: Azzat Manal

Seymour Hersh says US risks losing support from Middle East allies

The United States could be facing a growing crisis of confidence among some of its long-standing partners in the Middle East, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh. In commentary published on his Substack blog, Hersh argued that Washington’s involvement in the escalating confrontation with Iran has weakened its position among regional allies.

According to Hersh, the conflict has exposed concerns among several countries that have traditionally relied on the United States for security support. He suggested that Iran’s ability to launch accurate missile and drone attacks against regional targets has raised questions about the effectiveness of existing security arrangements and Washington’s ability to protect its partners.

The assessment comes amid a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with military confrontation creating wider uncertainty across the Middle East. The situation has also placed additional pressure on countries that maintain close strategic, economic and military relationships with Washington.

Hersh argued that the conflict has proved more complicated for the Trump administration than initially expected. The ability of Iran to continue operating despite sustained pressure has complicated efforts to achieve a rapid resolution and highlighted the difficulty of managing a broader regional confrontation.

The Iranian leadership, according to the journalist, remains resilient despite facing significant economic and military pressure. Tehran’s access to frozen financial assets and other resources could also influence its ability to withstand prolonged confrontation.

The conflict has broader implications for Washington’s regional strategy. For decades, the United States has maintained security partnerships with several Middle Eastern countries, supported military cooperation and deployed forces and advanced defense systems to deter potential threats.

However, the effectiveness of these arrangements is increasingly being scrutinized as regional actors develop more sophisticated missile and drone capabilities. The spread of relatively inexpensive unmanned systems has created new challenges for traditional air-defense systems and military planning.

The tensions with Iran also come at a time when Middle Eastern governments are seeking greater strategic autonomy. Several countries in the region have expanded diplomatic and economic relations with other major powers while attempting to balance their ties with Washington.

For the United States, maintaining confidence among its regional partners will therefore depend not only on military capabilities but also on diplomacy, strategic consistency and the ability to respond to emerging security threats.

Hersh’s comments reflect one critical view of Washington’s current Middle East policy, although his assessment represents his own analysis rather than an official consensus among US allies. The evolving confrontation with Iran nevertheless illustrates the growing complexity of American strategy in a region where security partnerships and geopolitical alliances are undergoing significant change.