Key facts
- Iran has warned Gulf states that any new U.S. attack on its territory would prompt retaliation against critical energy infrastructure.
- The warning was delivered through diplomatic channels after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran's energy network.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi urged Gulf allies to use their influence with Trump to prevent renewed strikes.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman subsequently spoke with Trump, urging him to delay military action and pursue a diplomatic settlement.
- President Trump stated on August 2 that he agreed to cancel an attack on Iran, contingent on reaching a deal.
Iran has warned Gulf states that any new U.S. attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, according to five sources. Tehran is attempting to use the threat of wider regional destruction as leverage against further U.S. strikes, putting Gulf states that host U.S. military bases and depend on energy exports in a difficult position between Washington and Tehran.
The warning was delivered through a flurry of high-level diplomatic contacts after President Donald Trump threatened on July 28 to strike Iran's energy network and infrastructure, the sources said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke with his Saudi, Turkish and Qatari counterparts, as well as Pakistan's army chief, urging them to use their influence with Trump to dissuade him from launching renewed strikes. His message was consistent: "We're ready to retaliate, but finding a diplomatic solution is the best way to avoid wider escalation and destruction across the region."
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman subsequently spoke with Trump, urging him to delay military action, return to negotiations, secure a ceasefire and pursue a diplomatic settlement, the senior diplomat and Gulf sources said. The warning was intended for every Gulf state but was conveyed primarily through Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On August 2, Trump said he agreed to cancel the attack on Iran "subject to being able to rapidly make a deal".