Iran threatens Gulf states over US strikes

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. The warning was delivered through high-level diplomatic contacts after President Donald Trump threatened on July 28 to strike Iran's energy network. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi 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. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman subsequently spoke with Trump, urging him to delay military action and pursue a diplomatic settlement. On August 2, Trump said he agreed to cancel the attack on Iran 'subject to being able to rapidly make a deal.' Iran's warning made clear that any new U.S. strike would be met with attacks on energy facilities, refineries, electricity grids, water infrastructure, transport networks, and oil fields across the Gulf. The threat is intended to raise the cost of military action and pressure Gulf states to press Washington for diplomacy, while also highlighting the vulnerability of Gulf energy infrastructure, as demonstrated by the 2019 attacks on Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq and Khurais facilities.