Iran has cautioned regional states against helping the United States as Washington weighs possible "very hard" new strikes, according to official statements carried by state media. The warning came as Iranian media said a retaliation plan is ready, following US media reports suggesting potential imminent attacks against civilian sites.
In a separate development, the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels claimed to have diverted eight Saudi oil tankers from the Red Sea. No further details of that incident were provided.
The remarks reflect heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with Washington reportedly considering military action against energy-related targets. Iran has repeatedly warned that any attack on its territory would draw a strong response.
The warning to neighbors appears aimed at preventing regional states from cooperating with US military operations, which Tehran has described as acting as a "defensive shield" for American forces. The phrase "flames of war" was also used in Iranian media, signaling the severity of the situation.
Neither Washington nor Tehran has confirmed any immediate military action, but the exchange of threats has raised concerns about a broader conflict in the region. The Houthi claim, if true, would mark an escalation in the disruption of oil shipping lanes, which has already affected global energy markets.