Iran threatens strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure over potential US attack

Iran has warned Gulf countries that any renewed US military strike on its territory would be met with retaliation against key energy infrastructure across the region, according to five sources, as Tehran tries to increase the cost of further military action by threatening Washington’s closest regional partners.

The warning came through a series of high-level diplomatic contacts after President Donald Trump warned on July 28 that he could target Iran’s energy sector and other critical infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters.

According to two senior Iranian officials, two Gulf sources and a senior regional diplomat familiar with the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Qatar, as well as Pakistan’s army chief.

During those conversations, Araqchi called on Washington’s Gulf allies to use their influence with Trump to prevent another round of US strikes, the senior diplomat said, cautioning that any attack on Iran would trigger retaliation against American assets and energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf.

"The Iranian warning was unequivocal: if America targeted Iran's infrastructure, they would retaliate by striking Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets," one Gulf source noted.

The diplomatic outreach highlights Tehran’s effort to use the prospect of broader regional escalation as leverage against additional US military action, placing Gulf states that host American bases and rely heavily on energy exports in an increasingly difficult position between Washington and Tehran.

Following the warning, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump, urging him to postpone military action, resume negotiations, establish a ceasefire and seek a diplomatic resolution, the sources said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada