- Iran warns Gulf countries against providing military assistance or logistical support to the United States.
- Tehran says it is monitoring the presence of US military aircraft at regional bases.
- Warning comes as the USS George Washington is redeployed to the Middle East.
Iran has issued a fresh warning to Gulf countries, cautioning them against providing assistance or facilities to the United States military amid the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Iranian armed forces Chief of Staff, Ali Abdollahi, said on Wednesday that any support provided to the US military would be regarded as participation in American military operations against Iran.
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According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Abdollahi said, “Any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor US military amounts to participation in the US military operation.”
He particularly questioned the presence of a large number of US military aircraft, including refuelling planes, at bases across the region.
“It seems unlikely that such a large number of military aircraft, particularly refuelling aircraft, could be present at regional bases without knowledge of host countries,” Abdollahi said.
The Iranian military chief also addressed countries bordering the Persian Gulf that have publicly stated that they would not allow their territories to be used by the United States for military action against Iran.
He warned those countries that Tehran was closely monitoring developments in the region.
“The countries bordering the Persian Gulf, which have issued various statements saying they would not allow the United States to use their territory against Iran, should know that we are fully aware of the situation,” he said.
The warning comes amid heightened military activity in the Middle East following the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States on February 28.
The conflict began after US-Israeli attacks on Iran, according to the report, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile and drone strikes, including attacks targeting US military bases across the region.
Tensions have continued to rise as the United States maintains a significant military presence in the Middle East.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is also being redeployed to the region to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln. The move comes amid reports of deteriorating living conditions for personnel aboard the Abraham Lincoln.
Iran’s latest warning highlights the growing pressure on Gulf states, many of which host American military facilities while seeking to avoid becoming directly involved in the conflict.
Tehran’s position suggests that any Gulf country perceived to be facilitating US military operations could face consequences, even if it has publicly declared neutrality.
The warning further raises concerns about the possibility of the conflict expanding beyond Iran and US forces to directly affect other countries in the strategically important Persian Gulf region.
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