TEHRAN: Iran’s armed forces on Wednesday warned Gulf countries against assisting the US military, saying any support or facilitation provided to Washington would be tantamount to joining its military operations.
“We wish to warn that any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor US military amounts to participation in the US military operation,” armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi said, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency.
The warning comes as the USS George Washington aircraft carrier is being redeployed to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln following reports of deteriorating living conditions for its crew.
War between Iran and the United States broke out on February 28 after US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic, which retaliated with missile and drone strikes, including attacks on US bases across the region.
“It seems unlikely that such a large number of military aircraft, particularly refuelling aircraft, could be present at regional bases without knowledge of host countries,” Abdollahi said.
“The countries bordering the Gulf, which have issued various statements saying they would not allow the United States to use their territory against Iran, should know that we are fully aware of the situation.”
The USS George Washington is being redeployed to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has spent more than 260 days at sea during extended combat operations linked to the conflict with Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln’s unusually long deployment has drawn growing scrutiny over conditions aboard the carrier, including reported shortages of food and basic supplies, plumbing problems and concerns about crew welfare.
The carrier has also gone more than 200 days without a port call, according to US officials cited by CNN. Reports have raised concerns about the mental health and well-being of sailors following the prolonged deployment and demanding combat operations.
The USS George Washington, a Pacific-based carrier, is being moved towards the Middle East to take over operations and provide relief to the Lincoln and its crew.
The deployment reflects the strain placed on US naval forces by the continuing conflict with Iran, while also shifting additional US naval assets towards the Middle East.
