Middle East Hotels Hosting U.S. Troops Warned by Iran as Potential Attack Targets
AFP, Tehran, 27th—Iran's military has warned that hotels in the Middle East hosting U.S. troops will be considered legitimate targets during any conflict between Tehran and the United States and Israel.
Iran's Armed Forces Spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said yesterday on state television: "When all American forces enter a hotel, that hotel becomes an American (military) base in our eyes."
Shekarchi stated: "Should we simply stand by and let U.S. forces attack us? When we respond, we naturally strike wherever they are located."
The United States and Israel launched a joint air strike on Iran on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a war that spread across the entire Middle East.
Yesterday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on social media accusing U.S. forces stationed in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states of using local civilians as "human shields."
Araghchi said, "Since the outbreak of war, U.S. forces have fled from GCC member countries' military bases and instead taken refuge in hotels and office buildings." He urged hotels in the region to refuse accommodating U.S. troops.
The Fars News Agency reported, citing sources, that Tehran has issued a "strong warning" to hotels across the Middle East, particularly those in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860826737135623/
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