The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Gulf Cooperation Council countries could become targets if Iran is attacked [1].
This escalation increases the risk of a wider regional conflict, as several Gulf nations have already activated air-defense systems in response to the threat [1].
The warnings follow recent strikes on Iranian territory conducted by the U.S. and Israel [2, 3]. The IRGC said these regional states could face retaliation if the cycle of attacks continues.
Reports on the specific nations warned vary across sources. Some reports said the IRGC warned Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan [1]. Other accounts list only Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain [1].
In response to the heightened tension, air-defense systems have been activated in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates [1]. These measures aim to protect critical infrastructure and population centers from potential missile or drone strikes.
The current instability stems from a series of military engagements involving Iranian territory [2, 3]. The IRGC said its warnings are a deterrent against further foreign intervention in the region.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned Gulf Cooperation Council countries they could become targets if Iran is attacked.”
The IRGC's warning signals a shift toward a more aggressive deterrent strategy by expanding the scope of potential targets beyond the primary combatants. By threatening GCC states, Iran is attempting to pressure regional neighbors to discourage U.S. and Israeli military actions, while the activation of air-defense systems across the Gulf demonstrates a high level of regional anxiety and a readiness for immediate escalation.
