By Our Correspondent
National News – Iran has warned that hotels accommodating United States soldiers in the Middle East could become military targets as tensions escalate in the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The warning was issued on Thursday by Iranian armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi, who said any hotel hosting American troops would be considered a legitimate target if Iran launches retaliatory attacks.
According to Shekarchi, Iran views any facility sheltering US troops as part of the American military presence.
He explained that when US forces move into civilian locations such as hotels, those buildings are no longer treated as neutral structures.
Instead, Iran considers them extensions of American operations across the region.
The warning comes amid a widening conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, killing the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The attack triggered a regional war that has since expanded across the Middle East, drawing in several countries and increasing fears of a broader confrontation.
Iran has responded by launching missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli locations and US-linked interests across the region.
Iranian officials say these actions are retaliation against attacks carried out by Washington and Tel Aviv.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, also accused US forces of placing civilians in danger by staying in hotels and office buildings in Gulf countries.
He alleged that American troops had moved from military bases into civilian facilities in nations belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Araghchi claimed the move effectively uses local populations as “human shields,” raising concerns about civilian safety if the conflict escalates further.
He urged hotels in the region to refuse accommodation requests from US soldiers to prevent their premises from becoming targets.
Iranian state-linked media reported that Tehran has issued firm warnings to hotels in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Iranian intelligence sources reportedly identified similar locations used by US forces in Syria, Lebanon, and Djibouti.
However, Gulf states have repeatedly denied claims that they are assisting US military operations against Iran.
Officials from several GCC countries insist they are not allowing their territory or airspace to be used for attacks.
The situation continues to raise concerns about civilian safety and the possibility that non-military locations could become targets as the conflict spreads.
