US allies said to close airspace for Israeli hit on Iran after threats from Tehran
Tehran has threatened Western-backed Arab states that it will attack them next if an Israeli-US retaliatory action against Iran goes through their territory or airspace, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing Arab officials.
The threats, described as vague, have been issued via backchannels to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, raising concerns that Iran could attack key oil infrastructure, the paper reports.
The countries, all of which host US military bases, have all informed Washington that they will not allow their airspace or facilities in their territory to be used for Israeli or American military action against Iran, according to the report.
US defense officials quoted by the Journal confirm that some states have informally requested that Israel not use its airspace for an attack and that the US bases they host not be used for such action.
The region has been tensely awaiting a promised Israeli reprisal for an October 1 ballistic missile attack by Iran, with Washington attempting to coordinate and temper Israel’s reaction.