Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Sites

PHOTO CAPTION: An Iranian missile system is displayed in Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Aug. 5 — Iran has warned Gulf countries that another U.S. attack on Iranian territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure and other targets across the region, five people familiar with the diplomatic contacts told Reuters.

The warnings followed President Donald Trump’s July 28 threat to strike Iran’s energy network and infrastructure. Two senior Iranian officials, two Gulf sources and a senior regional diplomat described the discussions on condition of anonymity because of their sensitivity.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, as well as Pakistan’s army chief, the sources said. Araqchi urged Washington’s regional allies to press Trump not to authorize further strikes, warning that Iran would retaliate against U.S. assets and Gulf energy facilities.

“We’re ready to retaliate, but finding a diplomatic solution is the best way to avoid wider escalation and destruction across the region,” the senior diplomat said, describing Iran’s message.

“The Iranian warning was unequivocal: if America targeted Iran’s infrastructure, they would retaliate by striking Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets,” one Gulf source said.

Gulf states press Trump to pursue diplomacy

Iran’s warnings place Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases and rely heavily on energy exports between Washington and Tehran.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later spoke with Trump and urged him to delay military action, return to negotiations, secure a ceasefire and pursue a diplomatic settlement, the regional diplomat and Gulf sources said.

Another Gulf source said Iran intended the warning for every Gulf country but delivered it primarily through Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Iran has improved relations in recent years with several Gulf neighbors, including former rival Saudi Arabia.

Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia have urged Washington to resume talks with Tehran and avoid renewed conflict. A senior Iranian official warned that another round of U.S. strikes could “turn the region into a fireball.”

On Aug. 2, Trump said he had agreed to cancel the planned attack, subject to the possibility of quickly reaching an agreement.

“Saudi Arabia believes further escalation will only bring more destruction,” one Gulf source said. “That is why it urged Trump to give diplomacy a chance.”

Saudi Arabia also made clear that it would defend itself if attacked. A Gulf source said Riyadh warned that any strike on Saudi territory would prompt a military response.

Iran identifies possible regional targets

Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the Royal Court, said Riyadh believed further escalation was unlikely to produce the desired result.

“The Kingdom believes a combination of proportionate military responses and sustained pressure on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz offers the strongest path toward a practical diplomatic settlement,” Shihabi said.

Iran has repeatedly called for the closure of U.S. military bases in the Gulf and demanded that Arab states stop sharing intelligence with Washington. Tehran believes that intelligence has helped facilitate attacks against it.

One Iranian official said Tehran’s warning covered energy facilities, refineries, electricity grids, water systems, transportation networks and oil fields across the Gulf.

“The enemy continues to threaten Iranian infrastructure. If Iran suffers damage, it will inflict far greater damage in return,” the official said.

“They still remember Saudi Arabia’s Aramco,” the official added, referring to the September 2019 drone and missile attacks on the Abqaiq and Khurais facilities. Those attacks temporarily disrupted more than half of Saudi crude production and exposed the vulnerability of Gulf energy infrastructure.

By threatening infrastructure vital to Gulf economies, Tehran is seeking to convince Washington and its Arab partners that further attacks would carry severe economic and strategic consequences.

A senior Iranian official said Trump faced a choice between escalating a conflict that could spread across the Gulf and disrupt global energy supplies, or accepting a negotiated settlement that fell short of the decisive victory Washington sought.

“The United States wants something it can present as proof that it won the war,” the senior regional diplomat said.

(Source: Reuters)