Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Facilities If US Launches New Strikes
Iran is worried that the United States might attack it, so it sent a warning to its neighbors.
Iran told the Gulf countries that if America attacks Iran, Iran will fight back.
It said it could attack the places that make energy, like oil fields and power plants.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, called leaders in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan to deliver the message.
Iran hopes these countries will convince President Trump not to attack.
Saudi Arabia's crown prince asked Mr. Trump to choose talking instead of fighting.
On August 2, Mr. Trump said he would cancel the attack if a deal could be made quickly.
Saudi Arabia also said it would defend itself if it were attacked.
Iran reminded everyone of an attack in 2019 that hurt Saudi Arabia's oil production to show how serious this could be.
Everyone wants to avoid a bigger war in the region.
Iran warned Gulf states that any new US attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region, according to five sources.
The warning followed President Donald Trump's July 28 threat to strike Iran's energy network and infrastructure.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi delivered the message through calls with his Saudi, Turkish and Qatari counterparts and Pakistan's army chief.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to delay military action and pursue diplomacy; Trump said on August 2 he agreed to cancel the attack subject to rapidly making a deal.
Iran recalled the September 2019 drone and missile attacks on Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq and Khurais facilities, which knocked out more than half of the kingdom's crude oil production.
- Who
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and leaders of Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.
- What
- Iran warned Gulf states that any new US attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region.
- When
- After Trump's July 28 threat to strike Iran; Trump said on August 2 he agreed to cancel the attack subject to rapidly making a deal, with the report dated August 5.
- Where
- Iran and the Gulf region, involving Washington, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Turkey and Pakistan.
- Why
- To raise the cost of military action and persuade Washington's Gulf allies to press Trump to avoid renewed strikes.
Iran and Gulf states
United States
Strikes vs. diplomacy
Iran and Gulf states
Iran, backed by Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, says finding a diplomatic solution is the best way to avoid wider escalation and warns that further strikes could 'turn the region into a fireball'.
United States
The United States under President Trump threatened on July 28 to strike Iran's energy network and infrastructure, and resisted calls to let Tehran emerge claiming victory.
Defining an acceptable outcome
Iran and Gulf states
Tehran says Trump faces two choices: escalate a conflict that could engulf the Gulf and disrupt global energy supplies, or accept a negotiated outcome.
United States
Washington is reluctant to allow Iran to claim victory and wants something it can present as proof that it won the war, a principal obstacle to an agreement.
- Report date
- August 5 (Reuters), published by News18 on August 6, 2026
- Trump's strike threat
- July 28, targeting Iran's energy network and infrastructure
- Trump's cancellation statement
- August 2, agreed to cancel the attack 'subject to being able to rapidly make a deal'
- Iranian warning
- Retaliation against energy facilities, refineries, electricity grids, water infrastructure, transport networks and oil fields across the Gulf
- Diplomatic contacts
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan
- Gulf states urging talks
- Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia
- Reference event
- September 2019 drone and missile attacks on Abqaiq and Khurais (Saudi Aramco)
- Sources
- Two senior Iranian officials, two Gulf sources and a senior regional diplomat
