IRGC official warns Gulf residents to evacuate, threatens infrastructure if Iran attacked

Escalation of Threats

In a statement issued Saturday evening, Mohammad Marandi, a senior figure within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned that tonight may be the "last night of routine" for residents across the Gulf. The warning specifically named Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, with Marandi adding that Oman could also be affected. He called on civilians in these countries to prepare for immediate evacuation, framing the threat as a direct response to potential strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure.

Strategic Context

This development follows a pattern of increasingly aggressive rhetoric from Tehran. As The Zioneer reported earlier today, the IRGC has already begun issuing evacuation warnings for civilians in expected strike zones and airports. The current threat expands this scope to include the vital infrastructure of neighboring Arab states that Iran perceives as partners to Israeli or American interests. Marandi explicitly linked the potential destruction of regional infrastructure to any attack on Iran, stating that the "vital infrastructure of the partner regimes" would be destroyed along with that of Israel.

Regional Implications

The inclusion of Jordan and Oman as potential targets, alongside the primary Gulf energy producers, suggests a widening of the IRGC's operational focus. This rhetoric aligns with the IRGC's formal declaration earlier this month ending its "policy of restraint," as previously documented by The Zioneer. By targeting the stability of regional energy and transport hubs, Tehran appears to be attempting to leverage the security of its neighbors to deter a direct strike on its own soil. As of Saturday night, the situation remains developing, with regional security forces on high alert following the Iranian ultimatum.