00:20The Middle East is witnessing another sharp escalation as Iran's top military command
00:26has issued one of its strongest warnings yet to Gulf nations hosting U.S. military forces.
00:32In a statement released by Iran's Hatam el-Anbiya's Central Headquarters,
00:37Tehran declared that any support for what it calls U.S. military aggression against Iran's sovereignty and territory
00:45would make those countries legitimate targets for Iran's armed forces.
00:50The warning comes amid rapidly rising tensions following recent U.S. military operations against Iranian targets
00:58and renewed confrontations in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
01:03Iran's military accused Washington of violating Iranian sovereignty and vowed what it described as a decisive response.
01:11The statement also reiterated Tehran's position that it will defend its territorial integrity
01:18and respond to any country that assists U.S. military operations against Iran.
01:24The message is particularly significant because several Gulf states, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
01:32and the United Arab Emirates host U.S. military bases
01:36or provide logistical support for American forces operating in the region.
01:41By labeling such support as a potential military target,
01:46Iran is attempting to deter regional governments from assisting future U.S. operations.
01:51The warning follows reports of continued military exchanges in the Persian Gulf,
01:57including attacks on commercial shipping, U.S. strikes on Iranian military assets,
02:02and heightened naval deployments by both sides.
02:05The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the confrontation.
02:10Nearly one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil passes through the narrow waterway,
02:15making any escalation there a major concern for global energy markets and international shipping.
02:22Military analysts say Tehran's latest statement reflects its long-standing strategy
02:27of warning regional countries that support for U.S. military operations could carry direct consequences.
02:34At the same time, there has been no independent confirmation that Iran has launched new attacks
02:40against Gulf states following this warning.
02:43Regional governments have also not announced any immediate changes to their military posture in response.
02:50For now, the statement appears aimed at increasing pressure on U.S. allies while reinforcing Iran's message
02:58that any future military action against its territory could trigger a broader regional response.
03:04As Washington and Tehran continue exchanging warnings,
03:08the risk of further escalation across the Gulf remains high,
03:12with the international community closely watching developments
03:15in one of the world's most strategically important regions.
03:31Transcription by CastingWords
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