Iran has warned Gulf countries not to provide support or facilities to the US military. The warning was issued on August 19, 2026, by Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, according to a statement published by Iran’s Fars news agency.

Abdollahi said the presence of a large number of military aircraft at regional bases, particularly refuelling aircraft, would be difficult without approval from the countries concerned. He said Iran had visibility into these developments, declaring that “nothing is hidden from us.”

He said any form of assistance or provision of facilities to what he described as the “aggressive US military” would be equivalent to participation alongside US forces. The source did not identify specific Gulf countries, bases, aircraft numbers, or any response from the United States or regional governments.