Saudi Arabia is warning allies that an ineffective US military attack on Iran would serve the Iranian regime in suppressing the protest activity seen nationwide, and advising US President Donald Trump to opt for limited, focused military strikes, and other actions against Iranian suppression, a Saudi royal family source told N12 on Wednesday.
An unmeasured move could achieve the opposite of any declared goal, playing into the hands of the regime, the source warned.
"The regime wants 'symbolism' to alleviate widespread anti-regime unrest, strengthening the narrative that the protests are supported by foreigners, and that world powers are 'conspiring' against Iranian sovereignty," he clarified.
However, limited military strikes against senior figures are far more likely to be condoned by the Iranian people, in his view.
"It would be a rescue operation for them from repression, and they would not see it as negative foreign interference but as positive foreign intervention that respects their independence," he clarified.
"The Gulf countries are united in fearing that a potential Trump attack could serve the rule of the Ayatollahs in Iran and suppress the popular uprising they have been waiting for a long time," the source said.
"Activating Starlink services for free across the country, along with targeted and limited strikes against regime leaders commanding repression agents and harming the Iranian people, would be far preferable to a large-scale military attack that could suppress the revolution," he affirmed.
"Iranians do not like foreign interference, and the Islamic Republic could close the Strait of Hormuz, or disrupt shipping there, destabilizing the region," the source warned.
"Therefore, Trump must closely monitor the situation and act wisely, because this is a sensitive and complicated task," he advised.
Gulf states warn Trump against sending 'help' to Iranian protesters
This comes after Arab Gulf states had been warning the Trump administration not to strike Iran after Trump and White House officials stated on Tuesday that military action was more likely than not, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Per the WSJ, Iran's rival Gulf states have largely avoided addressing the protests that have spread across Iran since late December, leaving thousands dead.
Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar informed the White House that even attempting to overthrow the current Iranian regime would destabilize the global oil market and ultimately hurt the American economy, according to WSJ.
Iran warns regional countries it will strike US bases in their territory if Washington attacks
On Wednesday, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran warned regional countries that it would strike US military bases in those countries in case of a US attack.
"Tehran has told regional countries, from Saudi Arabia and UAE to Turkey, that US bases in those countries will be attacked if the US targets Iran... asking these countries to prevent Washington from attacking Iran," the official told Reuters.
Trump’s warnings to the Islamic Republic have included threats of military force. Trump also warned Iran against retaliating against the US, saying that if it did so, the US would respond at levels “never seen before.”