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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Iran warns Gulf states against aiding US military, risking participation in operations

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Iran's armed forces have warned Gulf nations against aiding the U.S. military, stating such assistance would be considered participation in American operations.
  • The warning follows reports of U.S. military aircraft presence in regional bases, which Iran believes could not occur without host country knowledge.
  • This statement comes as the USS George Washington aircraft carrier is redeployed to the Middle East.

Iran's armed forces issued a stern warning to Gulf countries on Wednesday, cautioning that any assistance or facilitation provided to the U.S. military would be interpreted as direct participation in American military operations. The statement, released by armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi and reported by Iran's Mehr news agency, underscores the escalating tensions in the region.

We wish to warn that any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor US military amounts to participation in the US military operation.

— Ali AbdollahiChief of Staff of Iran's armed forces warning Gulf countries against aiding the U.S. military.

Abdollahi specifically highlighted the presence of a significant number of U.S. military aircraft, particularly refueling planes, at regional bases. He asserted that such a large-scale deployment would be impossible without the knowledge and consent of the host nations. "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," Abdollahi stated.

The warning comes amid a backdrop of ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which reportedly began on February 28 following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. 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.

— Ali AbdollahiChief of Staff of Iran's armed forces commenting on the presence of U.S. military aircraft in the region.

This development also coincides with the redeployment of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The carrier is being sent to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, reportedly due to deteriorating living conditions for the Lincoln's crew. The increased U.S. military presence and Iran's assertive stance signal a volatile geopolitical climate in the Persian Gulf.

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.

— Ali AbdollahiChief of Staff of Iran's armed forces addressing Gulf nations regarding their cooperation with the U.S.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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