NICOSIA Ñ Iran has for the first time warned Gulf allies in the
Middle East against helping the United States in any attack on Teheran.
The Islamic republic said its military will attack any regional ally
that helps the United States plan an attack on Teheran. Until now, Iran
had limited its threats to retaliation against the United States.
On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Baqer Zul Qadr, the deputy commander of
the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, said his country will not wait for
any U.S. attack. Zul Qadr raised the prospect that Teheran would launch a
preemptive strike against U.S. military installations in the Middle East.
The commander, whose warning was broadcast by state radio, said Teheran
will target any country or military base used in preparation for a U.S.
strike against Iran. Zul Qadr said this would include neighboring countries
with peaceful relations with Iran.
The United States uses air and naval bases in such countries as Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates
are said to have been particularly active in the U.S.-led war against
terrorism.
"Iran's relations with the countries of the region are friendly and
peaceful," Zul Qadr said. "However, Iran will exercise legitimate defensive
measures within the framework of its national security interests if the need
arises."
Other Iranian commanders have warned that Teheran will destroy oil
fields in the Persian Gulf if the United States threatens Iran's energy
production. The Iranian warnings are said to have alarmed Iranian President
Mohammed Khatami who called on Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei to
restrain military commanders.
The United States has accused Iran of harboring Al Qaida insurgents who
escaped Afghanistan. Iran was also cited for helping sponsor the 1996
bombing of the U.S. Air Force facility in Saudi Arabia.