Iran has warned Gulf countries that any support given to the United States during the conflict will be treated as involvement in American military operations, raising tensions in a region already facing disruption to shipping and growing pressure around the Strait of Hormuz.
The warning from Iran’s armed forces came on Wednesday, just hours after the United Arab Emirates announced that it was stopping all trade, commercial dealings and financial transactions with Tehran following a series of attacks involving shipping in the Gulf.
Iranian armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, according to the Mehr news agency, said countries in the region risked becoming involved in the conflict if they allowed the US military to use their facilities or provided other forms of support.
"any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor US military amounts to participation in the US military operation," Abdollahi said.
His warning comes as several Gulf states host US military facilities, including the UAE. Abu Dhabi said on Tuesday that Iran had launched two ballistic missiles towards the country, later clarifying that the missiles were aimed at shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the confrontation. Iran has blockaded the key waterway, while attacks on commercial vessels have continued despite a recent reduction in direct fighting between the US and Iran.
Abdollahi also questioned whether Gulf governments were unaware of US military activity taking place from bases in the region.
"It seems unlikely that such a large number of military aircraft, particularly refuelling aircraft, could be present at regional bases without knowledge of host countries," he said.
He added that Gulf countries "should know that we are fully aware of the situation".
Since the conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Iran, Tehran has responded with missile and drone strikes across the region. Several Middle Eastern governments have said they would not permit their territory to be used as a launching ground for attacks on Iran.
However, Abdollahi's comments suggested Tehran remains doubtful about the extent to which those countries are keeping their word.
Reports by media outlets have also claimed that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain have carried out strikes on targets in Iran in response to attacks from Tehran. The countries have largely rejected those reports.
UAE cuts economic links
The UAE moved to suspend its economic relationship with Iran on Tuesday, marking a major shift between two countries with long-standing cultural and historical ties.
"In light of regional escalations... all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice," foreign ministry communications director Afra Al Hameli said.
Abu Dhabi had earlier accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles towards the UAE before clarifying that the attack was directed at shipping.
The UAE has for years been an important trading partner for Iran, which has faced US sanctions. The country is also home to a large Iranian community and has maintained deep links with its neighbour across the Gulf.
But relations have deteriorated since the fighting began.
The UAE recalled its ambassador to Tehran early in the conflict and has since closed Iran-linked schools and a hospital.
Tankers operated by the UAE's state-owned oil company ADNOC have also come under repeated attack in recent weeks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with the UAE's national security adviser on Tuesday. Their discussions focused on "coordination to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable for ongoing attacks" and the need to maintain free movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
Attempts to find a political solution to the conflict have also run into fresh difficulties.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that there were no talks with Iran, despite his envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner saying a day earlier that Washington and Tehran were engaged in "very positive and active conversations".
Trump rejected the suggestion that negotiations were taking place and maintained that the Strait of Hormuz was open, even as Iran's blockade has sharply reduced traffic through the strategic route.
"There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect," Trump wrote on social media, referring to a US counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
Earlier, Trump had posted a map depicting the Strait of Hormuz as a "NEW U.S. Territory", repeating an earlier threat to annex the important route used for global oil and gas shipments.
The United States has largely scaled back its military operations, while US media reports have said the prolonged conflict has placed pressure on stocks of key weapons. Trump and the Pentagon have denied that the military is facing such shortages.
After months of US military action failed to bring the conflict to a decisive end, Iranian officials have continued to take a firm position against pressure from Washington.
Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf travelled to Iraq, saying his visit was "aimed at strengthening the new order in the region" and improving cooperation "without foreign interference".
"Resistance in Iraq is also one of the elements of this country's power," he said, apparently referring to armed groups in Iraq that are backed by Iran.
The latest developments leave the Gulf caught between efforts to protect shipping and trade and the growing demands from both Washington and Tehran as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high.