Iran threatens to treat fresh attack on its soil as resumption of war to be paid for by GCC
Iranian officials and military-linked sources also pointed to previous incidents as evidence that Tehran has both the reach and willingness to target strategic facilities in the Gulf region during times of confrontation.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply following a stern warning from Iran that any new attack on its territory would be regarded as a continuation of war, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Israel expected to face immediate retaliation.
According to a source reportedly close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Tehran is prepared to launch strikes targeting critical oil and gas infrastructure across Gulf states if its territory comes under renewed attack.
The warning marks one of Iran’s strongest statements in recent times amid growing regional uncertainty and fears of a broader conflict that could destabilize global energy markets.
Senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati, reportedly stated that allied resistance groups possess the capability to shut down the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait “with a single signal.”
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is considered one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints, linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and serving as a key route for global trade and energy shipments. Any disruption in the waterway could significantly affect international shipping, oil exports, and global economic stability.
Iranian officials and military-linked sources also pointed to previous incidents as evidence that Tehran has both the reach and willingness to target strategic facilities in the Gulf region during times of confrontation.
Among the sites reportedly referenced were Emirates Global Aluminium’s Al Taweelah facility in Abu Dhabi, Aluminium Bahrain’s industrial operations, and Saudi Arabia’s massive Jubail industrial complex, one of the largest petrochemical hubs in the world.
The statements underscore growing concerns that critical infrastructure across the Gulf region — including oil fields, refineries, gas installations, and shipping lanes — remains vulnerable in the event of an expanded regional war.
Analysts say the latest rhetoric reflects Tehran’s strategy of deterrence by emphasizing its ability to inflict economic and strategic costs far beyond its borders.
The comments also raise questions about the security architecture of the Gulf states, many of which rely heavily on military partnerships and security guarantees from the United States.
Observers note that strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remain central to the balance of power in the region, with any escalation potentially affecting global oil supplies and international trade routes.
The latest warning comes amid increasing diplomatic caution from Washington and renewed international efforts aimed at preventing further escalation between Iran and its regional adversaries.
Regional observers fear that any direct military confrontation involving Iran could rapidly spill across multiple countries, drawing in key Gulf capitals such as Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, while placing immense pressure on global energy markets.
