Iran has warned that if the United States launches a new attack, it will retaliate by striking critical energy infrastructure in Gulf nations. News agency Reuters reported this, citing five relevant sources.
According to the report, Iran conveyed this message to Gulf nations through high-level diplomatic channels after US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran’s energy sector and infrastructure on July 28.
Two Iranian sources, two Gulf sources, and a senior regional diplomat stated that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, as well as Pakistan’s army chief.
According to them, Araghchi urged Gulf nations to use their influence on Trump to dissuade him from launching a new attack. At the same time, he warned that if the US attacked Iran, US military installations and energy infrastructure within the Gulf region would become targets of Iranian retaliation.
A senior regional diplomat said Araghchi’s message was consistent in every discussion: Iran is prepared to retaliate, but a diplomatic solution remains the best way to avoid a wider conflict and destruction.
A Gulf source stated that Iran’s message was unequivocal: if the US attacks Iranian infrastructure, Iran will strike back at energy facilities and other vital targets in the Gulf region.
Analysts believe that by issuing such warnings, Iran aims to increase the risk of regional conflict and pressure US allies in the Gulf to dissuade Washington from undertaking new military operations.
Following this, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump, urging him to hold off on military action, maintain a ceasefire, and return to negotiations.
Another Gulf source noted that while Iran’s warning was intended for all Gulf nations, it was primarily conveyed through Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In recent years, Tehran has improved relations with several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have also urged Washington to resume negotiations with Iran. An Iranian official stated that Iran has warned the entire region could turn into a “ball of fire” if there are fresh US attacks.
On August 2, Trump announced that he had agreed to call off plans for an attack on Iran if a quick agreement could be reached.
