By Sandra Kenneth
Iran’s military leadership issued a stern warning to neighboring Persian Gulf nations on Wednesday, cautioning that providing any form of support to U.S. forces would be treated as direct participation in military operations against Tehran.
Speaking through Iran’s Mehr news agency, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi warned host nations that facilitating American military activity would carry direct consequences.
“We wish to warn that any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor U.S. military amounts to participation in the U.S. military operation,” Abdollahi said.
The Chief of Staff specifically pointed to the heavy concentration of Western assets across regional installations, dismissing claims that host governments are unaware of the scope of U.S. activities.
“It seems unlikely that such a large number of military aircraft, particularly refueling aircraft, could be present at regional bases without the knowledge of host countries,” Abdollahi added. “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.”
The diplomatic and military friction follows the outbreak of open conflict between Iran and the United States on February 28, initiated by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Tehran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. bases and regional infrastructure.
The escalation coincides with major naval rotations in Middle Eastern waters, where the aircraft carrier USS George Washington is currently redeploying to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln.
