Iran warns Gulf states against helping US
Iran’s military has warned Gulf states against providing assistance to US forces, stating that nothing is “hidden from our eyes,” reports BritPanorama. Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, indicated that the presence of numerous US military aircraft, specifically refuelling planes, at regional bases would be difficult to justify without the host countries’ knowledge.
“Any assistance and facilitation to the aggressive US army is tantamount to participation with the US military forces,” Abdollahi stated, reflecting Tehran’s increasingly adversarial posture towards its neighbours involved with the US.
On a related note, Iran has threatened to target any Gulf states assisting the US after the United Arab Emirates accused Tehran of launching two ballistic missiles — the first such incident since May. The UAE’s defense ministry reported that the missiles targeted “maritime traffic,” though both fell into the sea without causing damage.
Meanwhile, Iranian regime insiders informed Financial Times that Tehran is exploring potential strikes on US military assets in Europe, particularly in southeastern regions like Bulgaria, which recently approved the use of its Bezmer air base for US refuelling operations. Cyprus has also emerged as a potential target following a previous drone attack on a British air base.
The UAE has since imposed an indefinite trade embargo on Iran, halting all commercial exchanges and financial transactions until further notice. This move signals a significant escalation in regional tensions, as Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson rejected the missile allegations, denouncing them as a “false flag operation.”
In light of these developments, the situation remains precarious, with both nations poised for potential conflict escalation as alliances are tested.
