Iran's Ultimatum to the Gulf: Stop Trump or Pay the Price
Iran is threatening Gulf states: if they do not pressure Trump to halt the strikes and resume negotiations, their oil, electricity, and water infrastructure will be attacked. According to Reuters, Araghchi conveyed the message to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. Bin Salman spoke with Trump and urged him to suspend the military operation.
Iran has launched an intense diplomatic campaign against Gulf states, presenting them with an ultimatum: pressure US President Donald Trump to stop American strikes and return to the negotiating table, or their oil, electricity, and water infrastructure will become the next target. According to an exclusive Reuters report, the warning includes an explicit threat to hit energy facilities, oil fields, refineries, power grids, water infrastructure, and transportation networks of Washington's closest allies in the Middle East. The message was conveyed through high-level diplomatic contacts, following Trump's late-July threat to strike the Islamic Republic's energy infrastructure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, as well as with Pakistan's army chief, reiterating that Iran is ready to respond, but a diplomatic solution is the best way to prevent escalation. Following the threats, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump and urged him to suspend the military operation and pursue a ceasefire. Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia called on Washington to resume talks. Riyadh made clear that any attack on its territory would meet with a severe military response. The Iranian axis recalls the 2019 drone and missile attacks on Aramco facilities, which temporarily crippled more than half of the kingdom's oil output.