Military chief says Tehran will treat logistical support for American forces as participation in operations against Iran

TEHRAN: Iran’s Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi warned Gulf states on Wednesday against providing military or logistical assistance to the United States amid escalating regional tensions.

In a post on X, Abdollahi addressed countries along the Gulf’s southern shores that have publicly pledged not to allow Washington to use their territory for operations against Iran.

He said Tehran was closely monitoring regional military movements and questioned whether the deployment of numerous US aircraft, particularly aerial refuelling tankers, could occur without host governments knowing.

Abdollahi warned that Iran would consider any assistance or facilitation provided to US forces as participation alongside the American military.

Iranian Lawmaker Warns of Proportionate Retaliation

Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Fada Hossein Maleki warned that Tehran would respond proportionately if Washington used a nuclear weapon against Iran.

Maleki, a member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said he could not completely rule out such an escalation but believed it could trigger a dangerous global conflict.

When asked whether Iran would respond with a nuclear weapon, Maleki said Tehran would answer according to whatever weapon Washington used. However, he did not claim that Iran possesses nuclear weapons.

Furthermore, Maleki said Iran had adopted what he described as “active and offensive deterrence,” claiming Tehran still possesses undisclosed military capabilities.

Stalled US-Iran Diplomacy Fuels Tensions

Maleki also accused US President Donald Trump of failing to honour commitments contained in the June memorandum of understanding negotiated under Pakistani mediation.

He said Tehran would not resume negotiations unless Washington fulfilled previous commitments, including unresolved issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iran continues separate discussions with Oman and has rejected direct US participation in those talks.

The warnings come after months of hostilities following US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation against regional targets and American military assets.