Iran Threatens to Invade Neighbors If US Launches Post-Election Attacks
Tehran warns regional governments and considers retaliatory strikes on Persian Gulf neighbors and infrastructure if the U.S. renews military action following the midterm elections.
Iran is fortifying its defenses and considering military action against neighboring countries as it prepares for potential U.S. attacks after the midterm elections next month, according to reports.
President Trump has previously suggested that large-scale strikes on Iran could resume following the Nov. 3 elections. In response, Iranian officials have indicated they might deter such strikes by threatening to invade Persian Gulf neighbors.
Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that the United Arab Emirates, a frequent target of Iranian rhetoric, could be an ideal location for retaliation. Iran has reportedly warned regional governments, both publicly and privately, that it would expand the conflict if the U.S. renews its attacks.
The nation is reportedly amassing troops near its borders. Iran shares a significant border with Iraq and has historically exerted influence among Shia Arabs in that country. In May, Kuwait accused the Islamic Republic Guard Corps of sending commandos to invade Bubiyan Island, an incident that resulted in a confrontation with Kuwaiti troops.
Rezaei defended the potential targeting of the UAE, alleging that the kingdom provides direct support to the U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the region. Sources also indicated that Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, already targeted by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, could be among Iran's key targets.
Tehran has also informed mediators that it plans to escalate attacks on U.S. personnel in the region, with officials even threatening U.S. warships involved in the naval blockade of Iran. Previous Iranian attacks have targeted U.S. troops in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.
Rezaei further suggested that regional data centers and internet cables could also be targets in retaliatory actions. Military analysts have noted Iran's advancement in missile and drone capabilities, evidenced by recent attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Satellite imagery from recent weeks indicates that Iran is reinforcing its military and nuclear facilities, as well as border areas, in preparation for renewed conflict. Significant reinforcement work has been observed at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain and Natanz nuclear sites, including the construction of makeshift earthen barriers designed to impede ground assaults, according to the Institute for Science and International Security.