Tehran has issued threats through secret diplomatic channels to target Arab Gulf states and other U.S. allies in the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal reported.
This warning comes as retaliation if their territories or airspace are used for any attack on Iran, according to Arab officials.
Earlier this month, Iran launched around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, prompting Israel to consider striking Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure.
In response, Iran has warned of severe retaliation, including targeting Israel’s civilian infrastructure and any Arab state that facilitates an attack.
Arab officials have identified countries such as Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar among those threatened.
All these nations host U.S. military forces. They have informed the Biden administration of their opposition to their airspace or territories being used in any offensive operations against Iran.
The vague threats from Iran have sparked concerns among energy-rich Gulf states about their oil facilities’ vulnerability.
These facilities, previously viewed as protected under U.S. security arrangements, now face potential threats. Additionally, U.S. military installations and forces in the region could be at risk due to the high concentration of American troops.
U.S. defense officials acknowledge that regional partners have expressed their reluctance to allow Israeli warplanes to operate from their territories.
While these requests remain informal, they illustrate the growing tension and hesitancy among Arab states to support direct Israeli strikes against Iran.
The escalation has highlighted the challenges faced by Arab nations balancing their alignment with the U.S. and Israel against the risks of Iranian retaliation.
President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu have discussed potential responses, but no details on timing or targets have been revealed. As the situation unfolds, the risk of further conflict in the region remains high.
