According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Iran has warned its Arab and regional neighbors that they would face retaliation if their territory or airspace is used by the U.S. or Israel to launch attacks on the Islamic Republic.

Citing Arab officials, the report suggests that any escalation of Iranian-Israeli tensions could potentially involve other countries in the vital oil-exporting region.

The report indicates that Iran has threatened to launch significant strikes on Israel's civilian infrastructure and retaliate against any Arab nation that facilitates an attack.

Some U.S. allies in the region have informed Washington of their opposition to the use of their airspace or land for strikes against Iran, according to U.S. defense officials quoted in the report.

In response to a recent Iranian missile attack on October 1, Israel has vowed to retaliate, while the U.S. has urged Israel to ensure any response remains proportional, avoiding nuclear or oil-related targets.

Arab countries along the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have reportedly refused to allow Israel to use their airspace for attacks on Iran. They are also pressing Washington to prevent Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, fearing retaliation on their oil infrastructure.

The region's spare oil production capacity is largely concentrated in Arab states in the Persian Gulf, and top exporter Saudi Arabia, while having made diplomatic strides with Iran since 2023, remains cautious about potential strikes.

Saudi concerns are heightened by a 2019 attack on its Abqaiq refinery, which briefly disrupted 5% of global oil supply—a strike for which Iran denied responsibility.