Iran Warns Gulf States: Aiding US Military Equals Joining the War

Iran's armed forces warned Gulf nations on Wednesday that any assistance to US forces would count as joining the war against Tehran. ‎ ‎

Armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi said, via Mehr news agency, that facilitating US operations in any form amounts to taking part in them. ‎ ‎

The war began February 28, after US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US regional bases. ‎ ‎

Abdollahi questioned Gulf states' neutrality claims, saying it's unlikely so many military aircraft — especially refueling tankers — could operate from regional bases without host governments' knowledge. He added that Tehran is closely watching activity along the Gulf's southern shores. ‎ ‎

The warning comes as the USS George Washington redeploys to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports of poor living conditions for the Lincoln's crew. ‎ ‎

Newsmonger will update this story as it develops.