Iran warns neighbors it may target US bases if Washington intervenes

• Diplomats report personnel advised to leave US air base in Qatar.
• Tehran claims US warnings are a “pretext for military intervention”.
• Iran’s chief justice pushes for swift trials of those involved in violence.

Tehran has issued a warning to neighboring countries hosting US forces, stating that it will retaliate against American bases if Washington proceeds with threats to intervene in Iran’s protests, a senior Iranian official told Reuters Wednesday.

Several diplomats indicated that some personnel had been advised to evacuate the main US air base in the region, although there are no signs of the large-scale troop movements seen last year prior to an Iranian missile attack.

President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene in support of protesters in Iran, where recent crackdowns have reportedly resulted in hundreds killed, according to a human rights group.

An Israeli assessment suggests that Trump has made a decision to intervene, though details about the scope and timing are still unclear, an Israeli official said.

Some diplomats shared that by Wednesday evening, certain personnel had been told to leave the US military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

One diplomat characterized the move as a “posture change” rather than an “ordered evacuation.” No signs were present of a mass departure, unlike last year when troops moved to nearby stadiums and malls ahead of Iran’s missile retaliation.

The US embassy in Doha has not issued any official comment, and Qatar’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to requests for clarification.

Trump promises ‘very strong action’

President Trump has been openly warning of US intervention in Iran for several days, though without specifying exact plans.

In a Tuesday interview on CBS News, Trump warned of “very strong action” if Iran executes protesters, saying, “If they hang them, you’ll see some things.” He also urged Iranians to continue protesting and take over government institutions, claiming, “Help is on the way.”

A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously, stated Tehran has asked regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey, to prevent Washington from attacking Iran.

“Tehran has warned countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey that US bases in those countries will be targeted if the US attacks Iran,” the official said.

Additionally, contacts between Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff have been halted amid escalating tensions.

An Israeli official mentioned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security team was briefed late Tuesday about possible US or Israeli actions against Iran. Israel recently engaged in a 12-day conflict with Iran, which the US supported at the time.

US forces remain stationed across the region, including at Qatar’s Al Udeid, the headquarters of Central Command, and Bahrain’s Fifth Fleet base.

Iran maintains communication with Turkey, UAE, and Qatar

Iran’s state media reports that top security official Ali Larijani spoke with Qatar’s foreign minister, and Araqchi conversed with counterparts from the UAE and Turkey.

Araqchi told UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed that “calm has been restored,” and Iranians remain determined to defend their sovereignty against foreign interference, according to official reports.

Meanwhile, Iran’s internal communication has been disrupted due to a nationwide internet blackout, which Netblocks estimates has lasted over 132 hours.

“Metrics show #Iran is still offline as the country faces another day of digital darkness,” Netblocks posted on X.

Despite restrictions, some footage has emerged online. Verified videos show bodies in the Kahrizak morgue south of Tehran, wrapped in black bags and surrounded by desperate family members searching for loved ones.

Iranian authorities accuse the US and Israel of inciting unrest, which they label as terrorism.

Iran’s chief justice calls for swift justice

Visiting a Tehran prison holding detained protesters, Iran’s chief justice emphasized the importance of prompt trials to prevent future unrest. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said, “If someone has burned, beheaded, or set fire to others, we must act quickly,” broadcasting his remarks on state TV.

He also stated that trials should be public and added he spent five hours examining cases in Tehran’s prisons.

According to state media, a funeral procession is scheduled in Tehran for over 100 civilians and security personnel killed during the recent protests.

Pro-government rallies were held Monday, demonstrating support for Iran’s current leadership. So far, security forces remain united, successfully quelling recent protests without signs of internal discord.

While Iran has faced previous disturbances, the current unrest occurs as Tehran continues recovering from last year’s conflict with Israel.

Trump recently stated that military action is one of the options under consideration to “punish Iran,” mentioning that the situation’s severity is still unfolding.

Returning from Detroit on Tuesday, Trump said, “The casualties seem significant, but we don’t have all the details yet,” promising more information after a report due that evening.

Furthermore, the US has imposed a 25% tariff on imports from countries dealing with Iran, a major oil exporter. The State Department has also urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately.

Iran dismisses these US warnings as a “pretext for military intervention.” The Iranian UN mission issued a statement on X vowing that Washington’s strategies will “fail again.” “US policies aim at regime change through sanctions, threats, unrest, and chaos—really just a pretext for military action,” it declared.