Persian Gulf States Warn US against Using Bases for Any Anti-Iran Strike
Several Persian Gulf countries have warned the United States, asserting their refusal to permit American military bases on their soil for potential strikes against Iran in the event of retaliatory actions by the Islamic Republic targeting Israeli-occupied territories.
EghtesadOnline: According to Middle East Eye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Kuwait have communicated their stance to Washington, urging the US to refrain from utilizing their territories for strike in response to any potential Iranian attack on Israel.
A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed to MEE, "The US’s (Persian) Gulf allies are working overtime to shut down avenues that could link them to a US reprisal against Tehran … from bases inside their kingdoms." This revelation underscores the collective efforts of Persian Gulf states to distance themselves from potential military actions involving the US and Iran.
Reports indicate that the Persian Gulf nations have begun scrutinizing the details of existing basing agreements, which facilitate the presence of tens of thousands of American troops across the region. Additionally, measures are being taken to restrict US warplanes from utilizing their airspace should Washington opt for retaliatory strikes in support of Israel.
The reluctance of the Persian Gulf states coincides with heightened tensions following an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1. The attack resulted in the deaths of two senior Iranian military personnel who were on an advisory mission to Syria as well as five of their accompanying officers.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the IRGC Quds Force, and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi were among the seven martyrs of the terrorist attack.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has vowed that Iran will “punish” Israel and make the evil regime “regret” its crime of assassinating the country’s military advisers in Syria. / Tasnim