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Iran has issued notices to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that any support for an attack by the United States on its territory, including the use of their airspaces or territories by U.S. military, would be considered an act of hostility, Reuters reported on April 6, citing a senior Iranian official.
Such an act “will have severe consequences for them”, the official said, revealing that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had placed Iran’s armed forces on high alert.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have been on the rise since President Donald Trump directly threatened the Islamic Republic last month with military action if it does not engage in direct talks on its nuclear program.
According to a Middle East Eye report from April 1, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait have already informed the U.S. that they will not permit their airspaces or territories to be used as a launchpad against Iran, including for refueling and rescue operations.
Russia said on April 3 that U.S. threats of military action against Iran were unacceptable and the next day called for restraint.
Preparing for a possible attack on Iran, the U.S. reinforced its military posture in the Middle East in recent weeks with a second aircraft carrier, additional strategic stealth bombers, fighter jets, combat drones and anti-missile-capable air defense systems.
Trump’s recent threats and the military buildup in the region have so far failed to convince Iran to engage in direct nuclear talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed again on April 6 that his country was open only for indirect talks with the U.S.
“We remain committed to diplomacy and are ready to try the path of indirect negotiations,” the minister said. “Iran keeps itself prepared for all possible or probable events, and just as it is serious in diplomacy and negotiations, it will also be decisive and serious in defending its national interests and sovereignty.”
Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, but it has ramped up its enrichment of uranium up to 60 percent purity. It is the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so
Despite recent escalation by the U.S., an attack on Iran will not likely happen unless Israel manages to convince Trump that there is no other way to address the alleged threat posed by the Tehran nuclear program. In order to prevent such a dangerous scenario, Tehran will have to engage in some form of talks with Washington.
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