Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has put Iran’s armed forces on combat alert, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
He said that in response to US demands and threats of bombing if it refuses direct talks over its nuclear program, Iran is warning neighbouring countries that host US military bases of dire consequences if they get involved.
Although Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s demand for direct talks, it wants to continue indirect talks through Oman, the official said.
“The indirect talks offer a chance to gauge Washington’s seriousness about a political solution with Iran,” the official said.
He said Iran had sent messages to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that any support for a US attack on Iran, including the use of their airspace or territory by US military personnel, would be considered a hostile act.
“Such an action will have severe consequences for them,” the official said.
