Washington, DC [US], February 2 (ANI):
American allies in the Persian Gulf have warned Washington that Iran’s missile capabilities pose “a serious threat” to US interests in West Asia, even as regional partners step up diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict with potentially devastating consequences.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, citing a report by The Washington Post, said two Western officials familiar with the matter confirmed that Persian Gulf allies have cautioned the United States that Tehran retains key military capabilities, including the ability to strike American targets such as bases and troop concentrations across the region.
The report said a recent assessment conducted by a US ally in the Persian Gulf found that despite claims of damage to Iran’s missile forces during last June’s 12-day war with Israel, core elements of the program remain intact, with some capabilities already restored. The findings underscore ongoing vulnerabilities across the region.
According to the assessment, Iran continues to possess shorter-range missiles, launchers, and components of its missile production infrastructure. These systems are capable of reaching more than a dozen US military installations in the Persian Gulf, where tens of thousands of American troops are stationed. The findings have reinforced concerns in Washington that Iran could still carry out effective retaliatory strikes if tensions escalate further.
Against this backdrop, US partners in the region have signaled reluctance to be drawn into any military confrontation. Press TV reported that last month both the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia informed Washington that US forces would not be permitted to use their territory or airspace for operations against Iran, highlighting growing unease among Gulf states about becoming direct participants in a potential conflict.
Providing further insight into Iran’s preparedness, Amir Mousawi, a former Iranian diplomat now based in Iraq, told The Washington Post that Tehran has increased missile production since the conflict with Israel and repaired several damaged launch systems. He added that some launchers have been relocated to mountainous terrain, making them more difficult to neutralize.
“Iran has mountains thousands of meters high,” Mousawi said. “It is not possible to reach and damage these capabilities easily.”
Echoing these concerns, David Des Roches, a former Pentagon official affiliated with the Thayer Marshall Institute, said Iran maintains the largest missile arsenal in West Asia. He noted that Tehran possesses more missiles than the combined interceptor stockpiles of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council states, adding that regional air defense systems remain only partially integrated and largely concentrated around limited sites, leaving them vulnerable to saturation attacks.
Iran’s military posture has increasingly shaped US strategic calculations as Washington expands its footprint in the region. US President Donald Trump had earlier threatened military action against Iran following recent economic protests inside the country, which Tehran said were exploited by foreign-backed rioters. Trump urged demonstrators to seize state institutions and claimed that “help is on its way,” before later shifting tone and calling on Tehran to return to negotiations and pursue a nuclear deal.
Amid these developments, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned earlier in the day that any war initiated by the United States against Iran would inevitably expand into a broader regional conflict.
Separately, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on Saturday that progress had been made toward building a framework for talks between Tehran and Washington, despite rising rhetoric and the threat of military escalation, signaling tentative diplomatic movement even as tensions persist.
Meanwhile, the security situation remains fragile, with US Central Command continuing to deploy warships, fighter jets, and additional troops to West Asia under what it describes as regional security measures. Iran has reiterated that any act of aggression would be met with a swift and forceful response.
About The Author
