New Delhi:

As the Wall Street Journal reported, Iran has issued a stern warning to its Arab neighbors and US allies in the Gulf, threatening severe retaliation if their territory or airspace is used to support Israel in possible attacks on Iran. The warning was delivered through secret diplomatic channels and targeted oil-rich states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar, all of which have U.S. forces stationed, the WSJ report said.

This came after Israel announced harsh retaliation against Tehran after Iran fired a ballistic missile at Israel earlier this month. Israeli officials were outraged by the attack and urged retaliatory strikes against Iran’s nuclear or oil infrastructure, which they see as crucial to undermining Tehran’s aggressive military posture. Iran has vowed to strike back and threaten Israel’s civilian infrastructure and Arab states that could facilitate an Israeli or U.S.-led attack.

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According to the WSJ, these nations have told the Biden administration that they are unwilling to be drawn into a major conflict by allowing their military infrastructure or airspace to be used to carry out attacks against Iran. Officials in these energy-rich Gulf states fear that their oil facilities, traditionally under U.S. protection, could become prime targets if hostilities escalate. Because the region is home to one of the highest concentrations of American troops in the world, any military action could also put U.S. forces at significant risk.

One of the Gulf states’ biggest concerns is the potential impact on the global oil market if the conflict escalates. A full-scale war between Israel and Iran could disrupt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical bottleneck to global energy supplies. Any disruption to the flow of oil could lead to skyrocketing energy prices and destabilize not only the region but also global markets. According to the WSJ, Arab leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have vowed to avoid any involvement in possible military strikes against Iran for fear of repercussions on their oil infrastructure.

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In response to the escalating tensions, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran’s oil and petrochemical industries, particularly targeting Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships involved in sanctions evasion. The U.S. Treasury and State Departments have named several companies and vessels involved in transporting Iranian oil. This is part of a broader effort to cut off financial lifelines supporting Iran’s missile programs and regional militias.

“Today’s sanctions target Iran’s efforts to use revenue from its energy industry to finance deadly and destructive activities, including the development of its nuclear program and ballistic missile proliferation,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

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These growing tensions are complicating the already fragile alliances between Arab states and Israel. Although these nations share a desire to counter Iran’s influence, they are concerned about becoming drawn into a direct military confrontation that could engulf the entire region. Some Arab countries, such as Jordan, have previously cooperated with Israel and the United States by shooting down Iranian projectiles headed toward Israel earlier this year. However, supporting a full-scale Israeli attack on Iranian soil is seen as far more dangerous.