Iran Warns Gulf States Against Assisting US Military

Iran’s armed forces have warned countries in the Gulf region against assisting the United States military. The warning was issued after the United Arab Emirates, one of the Gulf states, decided to sever economic ties with Tehran following the latest attack on its vessels.

Gulf states are filled with US military installations, including the UAE, which on Tuesday (18/8) accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles at its vessels off its coast.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Ali Abdollahi, as reported by AFP and Anadolu Agency on Thursday (20/8/2026), warned Iran’s neighbouring countries in the Gulf region not to provide assistance to the US military amid rising regional tensions.

“We warn that any form of assistance or facilities provided to the US military, which is acting as the aggressor, will be considered as joint involvement with US forces,” Abdollahi stressed in his warning, as quoted by the Mehr news agency.

Abdollahi, in a statement via social media platform X, also said that countries on the southern coast of the Gulf, which have publicly stated they will not allow the US to use their territory to attack Iran, “should know that nothing escapes our observation”.

He cast doubt on the promises made by Gulf states at the start of the war.

“It is highly unlikely that a large number of military aircraft, especially refuelling tankers, could be stationed at regional bases without the knowledge of the host countries,” Abdollahi said in his statement.

The war broke out on 28 February, triggered by a large-scale joint US and Israeli attack on Iran. Tehran retaliated with waves of missile and drone strikes against Gulf states hosting Washington’s military assets.

Various media reported that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have struck targets inside Iran in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks.

Iran’s latest warning was issued after Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday (18/8) the suspension of all economic relations with Tehran “until further notice”. The move was announced after the UAE accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles at its vessels off the country’s coast.

Iran has denied orchestrating the missile attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stating that Tehran “firmly rejects the UAE’s claim that Iran launched missiles towards the country”.

He said the accusation undermines trust and regional security efforts.