West Asia LIVE: Iran threatens to strike other nations' energy fields if U.S. launches fresh attacks

Lead

Iran has warned Gulf states that any new US attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, according to multiple reports. The warning was delivered through a flurry of high-level diplomatic contacts after US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran's energy network, as Tehran seeks to raise the cost of military action by threatening Washington's closest regional allies.

Coverage Comparison

The South China Morning Post and The Hindu reported that Iran warned against any "adventurous action" by the US and said it would retaliate decisively if American forces follow through on President Trump's threats. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's comments came in separate phone calls with senior Turkish, Pakistani and Saudi officials, just hours after Kuwait's army said it destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran against several vital facilities.

TASS, citing Reuters, reported that Iranian authorities warned Gulf countries that they will carry out retaliatory strikes against energy facilities on their territory if the US attacks the Islamic Republic. The Iranian warning was described as unequivocal: if America targeted Iran's infrastructure, they would retaliate by striking Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets.

The Hindu also reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Mr. Trump on Saturday and expressed concern about US plans for Iran, urging him to delay military action and pursue a diplomatic settlement.

Key Claims

• Iran warned against any "adventurous action" by the US and said it would retaliate decisively if American forces follow through on President Trump's threats, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi made these comments in separate phone calls with senior Turkish, Pakistani and Saudi officials, just hours after Kuwait's army said it destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
• Kuwait's army destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran against several vital facilities, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Mr. Trump on Saturday and expressed concern about US plans for Iran, as reported by The Hindu, citing a US official.
• Nournews, a media outlet affiliated with Iran's top security body, said US attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure would prompt Iranian strikes on oilfields in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as gas fields of Qatar and Israel, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
• Iran warned Gulf states that any new US attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, as reported by The Hindu and TASS.
• Tehran's warning made clear that any new US strike would be met with attacks on energy facilities, refineries, electricity grids, water infrastructure, transport networks and oil fields across the Gulf, as reported by The Hindu.
• The Iranian warning was unequivocal: if America targeted Iran's infrastructure, they would retaliate by striking Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets, as reported by TASS and The Hindu.

Perspectives

Iranian Government: Iran has warned against any "adventurous action" by the US, saying it would retaliate decisively to any "aggression" and that any attacks by the US and Israel or participation by regional countries would be met with a "proportionate response." According to the South China Morning Post, Foreign Minister Araqchi discussed the consequences of "destabilising actions" by the US and prospects for heightened regional insecurity.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to President Trump and expressed concern about US plans for Iran, urging him to delay military action and pursue a diplomatic settlement, as reported by The Hindu.

United States: President Donald Trump stated that Washington was continuing consultations with Tehran and expected an agreement to be reached soon, as reported by TASS. He also said at a cabinet meeting that US negotiators could still reach a deal with Iran, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Gulf States (unnamed sources): A Gulf source described the Iranian warning as unequivocal: if America targeted Iran's infrastructure, they would retaliate by striking Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets, as reported by TASS and The Hindu. The reports also note that Gulf states that host US military bases and depend on energy exports are placed in a difficult position between Washington and Tehran.