It was deliberate and pundits are saying it’s backfiring as now the gulf states are preparing to attack Iran
It does seem like it's deliberate because initially targets were US assets in Gulf which now changed to commercial and energy infrastructure over there.
But I don't think Gulf countries would attack Iran through their own militaries for few reasons
1) this would imply allying (even if indirectly or symbolically) with Israel which I am quite sure no Gulf country wants to do or even come across as such
2) They don't want themselves to be dragged into a long war situation or target of extremism in future.
They might allow more access and resources for USA though or at best they go into defensive mobilization to protect themselves rather any offensive attack on Iran.
However, things might change if civilian casualties increases in the future