Iran-Israel15 January, 20262 min read
Arab States Mobilize To Prevent U.S. Attack On Iran
Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers held a phone call to discuss regional stability. Türkiye announced opposition to any military intervention against Iran.
13 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on U.S. Intercepts Iran Message Activating Sleeper Cells After U.S.-Israel Strike Kills Khamenei →
Iran unrest and diplomacy
Arab states are reported to be responding diplomatically after Tehran warned that U.S. military action against Iran could make allied territory, including U.S. bases hosted by regional partners, legitimate targets. Iranian officials say they have urged countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Türkiye to prevent a Washington attack on Iran. Anadolu Ajansı and PressTV report Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi urged the U.N. and foreign ministers to condemn what he called "foreign interference" in protests while stressing Iran remains ready for talks even as it prepares to defend itself.
“An anonymous senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has warned US Middle East allies their territory — including US military bases hosted by those countries — could be legitimate targets if Washington attacks Iran.”
Western outlets report that U.S. rhetoric has eased, with France 24 saying President Trump has reportedly softened talk of an imminent strike on Iran. Iran closed its airspace to commercial flights. Commentators in regional media caution there is little appetite among populations for foreign intervention and note that economic grievances are the core driver of unrest rather than external manipulation.
Iranian diplomatic responses and claims
Iranian diplomacy has focused on formal appeals and warnings. According to Anadolu Ajansı and PressTV, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the U.N. and foreign ministers charging that peaceful protests were "hijacked" and became "ISIS-like, terrorist, and violent," and urging condemnation of external interference. PressTV repeats allegations that rioters received operational support from Washington and Mossad.
An anonymous senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has directly lobbied Gulf states — naming Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Türkiye — to act to deter any U.S. military move. Some Israeli and Western sources continue to brief their governments on contingency scenarios.
Disputed casualty figures
Western human-rights and casualty reporting portrays the unrest and the government response very differently from Iranian official claims. The Journal compiles external monitoring and rights-group tallies that suggest a severe crackdown. Those sources cite Norway-based Iran Human Rights' estimate of at least 3,428 protesters killed, more than 10,000 arrests, a 144-hour internet blackout recorded by NetBlocks, and AFP-verified footage of bodies in a morgue.
“Norway‑based Iran Human Rights estimates at least 3,428 protesters killed and more than 10,000 arrested.”
Independent outlets such as CityNews relay individual accounts of civilian deaths and blocked medical care. HRANA provides a different, lower toll of roughly 2,615 fatalities in its reporting.
Regional responses to Iran
Regional commentators and analysts say Arab and other U.S. partners face a difficult choice: distance themselves from a possible U.S. strike or risk becoming targets themselves. Afghanistan International reports that Tehran warned allied territory could be considered legitimate targets and urged countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye to prevent a U.S. attack on Iran.
None of the cited sources contains a direct public statement from those Gulf capitals confirming they will mobilize militarily or diplomatically as Tehran requested. France 24 reports a softening in U.S. strike rhetoric, and Tehran says it remains open to talks even as it warns it will respond to any attack.
