Iran has warned neighbouring countries against becoming involved in its escalating conflict with the United States and Israel, as tensions in the Middle East intensify and global energy markets react sharply to the crisis.
Tehran issued the warning on Sunday after a drone attack targeted the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, a facility that hosts American and Italian troops. The Italian military confirmed that the strike destroyed an unmanned aircraft belonging to Italy but reported no casualties. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, downplayed the incident, stressing that Rome is not engaged in the conflict.
The attack comes amid rising regional tension following Iran’s claims that several U.S. bases located in neighbouring countries have been used to launch attacks against its territory. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran has “ample evidence” supporting the allegation and urged regional governments to expel foreign forces.
“This war will end when we are certain that it will not be repeated and that reparations will be paid,” Araghchi said in an interview with Arabic-language platform Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. In a separate message posted on social media, he argued that the U.S. security presence in the region was “inviting rather than deterring trouble.”
The warning followed a call by U.S. President Donald Trump for allied nations to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas exports. The waterway has become a major flashpoint since Iran threatened to disrupt shipping in response to a joint U.S.–Israeli military campaign.
While Washington urged countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom to deploy naval escorts for tankers moving through the strait, most governments have responded cautiously.
Britain’s defence ministry said it was discussing options with allies to protect maritime shipping, while the country’s energy security minister, Ed Miliband, emphasized the need for de-escalation. South Korea said it was closely monitoring developments, and Japanese officials noted that sending naval forces under existing laws would face significant legal and political hurdles.
The conflict has already had major economic repercussions. Global oil prices have surged by about 40 percent since Iran began targeting energy infrastructure and threatening shipping routes in the Gulf region.
In response, the International Energy Agency announced that its member countries would begin releasing strategic oil reserves to stabilize markets. About 400 million barrels will be made available, starting with immediate releases from Asia-Pacific members, followed by shipments from Europe and the Americas in the coming weeks.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, both sides appear to remain far apart diplomatically. President Trump said in a television interview that Iran was interested in negotiations but insisted Washington would continue military pressure to secure better terms.
“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” Trump said.
However, Araghchi rejected the claim, saying Tehran has no reason to negotiate with Washington after being attacked during earlier diplomatic talks.
“We were talking with them when they decided to attack us,” he said.
Israel has also indicated that its operations are far from over. Military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the Israeli military still has “thousands of targets” in Iran and continues to identify new ones daily.
Meanwhile, daily life in parts of Iran has shown signs of partial recovery after weeks of heavy fighting. In Tehran, traffic increased and some cafés and restaurants reopened as the country prepares for Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Markets have gradually resumed activity, with more than a third of stalls reopening at the Tajrish bazaar. However, economic pressure remains severe, with rising prices and limited access to international internet services.
Iranian authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes since the conflict began on February 28, although the figures have not been independently verified. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, reports that more than 15,000 targets in Iran have been struck by U.S. and Israeli forces during the campaign.
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