Tehran Issues Warning to Neighbours Hosting US Troops Amid Protest Crisis

Iran has issued a stark warning to its neighbors hosting American military bases, stating that it would target US installations in the region if Washington carries out any military strikes against Tehran. A senior Iranian official conveyed this message to Reuters on January 14, 2026, amid escalating tensions with the United States following repeated threats by President Donald Trump to intervene in support of anti-government protesters in Iran.

The warning comes as Iran faces widespread domestic unrest that has entered its third week, with rights groups estimating over 2,600 deaths in the ongoing crackdown by security forces. Iranian authorities have repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating and funding the protests, which began over economic grievances but have since evolved into open calls for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran’s message is aimed at deterring any potential US military action, especially given the presence of thousands of American troops at bases across the Gulf, including Al Udeid in Qatar, which houses around 10,000 US personnel and serves as the largest American military facility in the Middle East. Iranian officials have made clear that any direct US involvement in the current crisis would trigger retaliation against these strategic assets.

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The remarks follow President Trump’s public statements urging Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations and his hints at possible US support, including the use of satellite internet services like Starlink to bypass government blackouts. Trump has also warned that he would cancel meetings with Iranian officials until the killing of protesters stops, further heightening bilateral friction.

The situation remains highly volatile, with Iran on high alert and its neighbors closely monitoring the risk of escalation in the Gulf. The warning underscores Tehran’s strategy of projecting strength to deter external intervention while it grapples with the most serious internal challenge to its rule in decades. The coming days could prove critical as both sides exchange increasingly sharp rhetoric and the death toll in Iran continues to rise, according to activist reports.

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