Iran has issued a stark warning to its regional neighbours hosting United States military bases, cautioning that they would be targeted if Washington launches any military action against Tehran. The warning comes amid escalating tensions following repeated threats by former US President Donald Trump to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where a violent crackdown has reportedly claimed thousands of lives.
A senior Iranian official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Tehran has clearly conveyed its position to countries across the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. The message, the official said, was aimed at deterring any potential US strike by signalling the high regional cost of such an action.
Warning to US allies hosting American bases
Dubai According to the Iranian official, Tehran has told neighbouring states that American bases on their soil would be hit if the US targets Iran. The United States maintains a significant military presence across West Asia, including the forward headquarters of its Central Command at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
Three diplomats told Reuters that, amid rising tensions, some personnel had been advised to leave Al Udeid Air Base by Wednesday evening. However, they described the move as a “posture change” rather than a full evacuation. There were no visible signs of a large-scale troop withdrawal similar to last year, when personnel were temporarily moved to nearby civilian facilities ahead of an Iranian missile strike in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian nuclear targets.
The US embassy in Doha did not issue an immediate comment, and Qatar’s foreign ministry also did not respond to requests for clarification.
Trump’s threats and call to protesters
Dubai Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in Iran in recent days, though without specifying the nature or timing of any action. In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Trump vowed “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” he said.
Trump also publicly urged Iranians to continue protesting and take over state institutions, declaring that “help is on the way”. Asked later what he meant by the remark, Trump told reporters they would “have to figure that out”, adding that military action was among the options he was considering.
An Israeli official told Reuters that, according to an Israeli assessment, Trump has decided to intervene in some form, although the scope and timing remain unclear. The official said Israel’s security cabinet had been briefed on the likelihood of US intervention and the possibility of regime instability in Tehran.
Unrest and deadly crackdown in Iran
Dubai Iran has been gripped by one of the largest waves of protest against clerical rule in its history. A US-based rights group, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), said it had verified the deaths of 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated individuals so far. Iranian officials have put the total death toll at around 2,000.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the crackdown as “the most violent repression in Iran’s contemporary history” and said it must stop. Iranian authorities, however, have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting unrest and described protesters as terrorists.
The flow of information from within Iran has been severely restricted due to an internet blackout, making independent verification of events difficult.
Diplomatic efforts and regional outreach
Dubai The Iranian official said Tehran has asked regional governments to prevent Washington from attacking Iran, signalling that diplomatic channels remain active despite the escalating rhetoric. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has reportedly spoken to his counterparts in Qatar, the UAE and Turkey, while Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s top security body, held discussions with Qatari officials.
However, the Iranian official also revealed that direct contacts between Araqchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended, further dimming prospects for de-escalation through direct dialogue.
State media in Iran reported that Araqchi told UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed that “calm has prevailed” and that Iranians are determined to defend their sovereignty and security against foreign interference.
Western assessment and regional implications
Dubai A Western official told Reuters that, despite the scale of the unrest, the Iranian government does not appear to be facing imminent collapse and that its security apparatus remains in control. The crackdown, the official said, has restored some level of calm, although the authorities were caught off guard by the intensity of the protests.
The unrest comes at a time when Iran is still recovering from last year’s 12-day war with Israel and facing a weakened regional position following setbacks to allies such as Hezbollah after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Iranian state television broadcast footage of large funeral processions in cities including Tehran, Isfahan and Bushehr, showing mourners waving flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while chanting anti-riot slogans.
Justice system response and human rights concerns
Dubai Visiting a Tehran prison where detained protesters are being held, Iran’s Chief Justice stressed the need for swift trials and punishment of those accused of violent acts, including beheadings and arson. HRANA has reported at least 18,137 arrests since the protests began.
Separately, Hengaw, an Iranian Kurdish rights group, reported that a 26-year-old man, Erfan Soltani, arrested in connection with protests in Karaj, was due to be executed on Wednesday. Reuters said it could not independently confirm whether the execution had taken place.
Conclusion
Dubai Iran’s warning to its neighbours underscores the risk that domestic unrest could spiral into a wider regional conflict, particularly amid increasingly confrontational rhetoric from Donald Trump. With thousands reportedly killed, diplomatic channels strained and military forces on heightened alert, the situation remains volatile. As Tehran seeks to deter foreign intervention and Washington weighs its options, the coming days are likely to be critical for the stability of Iran and the wider West Asian region.