Reuters news agency reports that the leader of the Islamic Republic has put Iran’s armed forces on alert.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is resisting U.S. pressure to engage in direct talks about its nuclear program or face military action, and at the same time has warned regional countries hosting U.S. bases that they will be targeted if they participate in any attack on Iran.
According to this official, who wished to remain anonymous, Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for direct talks but still seeks to continue indirect negotiations through Oman.
A country that has played the role of mediator between Tehran and Washington for years.
The official emphasized that indirect negotiations are an opportunity to assess the seriousness of the U.S. in reaching a political solution.
The Iranian official also announced that Iran has informed Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain that any use of their territory or airspace by the U.S. military to attack Iran will be considered a hostile act and will have severe consequences for them.
According to this Iranian official, the leader of the Islamic Republic has placed Iran’s armed forces on full alert.
Spokespersons for the governments of Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that it is unaware of receiving such a warning but suggested that messages might have been transmitted through other channels.
Iranian state media reported on Wednesday that Kuwait has assured Iran that its territory will not be used against any country.