Iran Blames United States for Attacks Near Civilian Areas in Gulf, FM Says

Key Points

• Iran blames U.S. for attacks near civilian areas in Gulf nations.
• Iranian FM says strikes targeted U.S. forces and installations.
• Some affected locations were close to population centers due to U.S. presence.
• Tehran says responsibility for the ongoing war lies with the United States.
• Conflict began after U.S. and allied strikes on Iran in late February.

Summary

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of responsibility for attacks occurring near civilian regions of Gulf countries, arguing that where U.S. military forces or facilities are present, they have been targeted — sometimes near populated areas — during the ongoing Middle East conflict. Tehran maintains that the broader war, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, is the fault of the United States.

Detailed News

Iran Holds U.S. Responsible for Gulf Attacks

In a recent statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the responsibility for attacks near civilian zones in the Gulf rests with the United States. Araghchi explained that Iranian operations have struck locations where U.S. forces were present, and because American troops and facilities have been positioned close to urban or residential areas, some targets ended up being near civilian populations.

He stressed that everywhere U.S. forces or their installations were located, Iran directed its military actions there, and while Tehran aimed at military targets, proximity to civilian regions could not be avoided due to U.S. deployments.

Context of the Conflict

Iran’s allegations come amid a broader conflict in the Middle East that escalated after joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. Since then, Tehran has launched retaliatory missiles and drones toward U.S. military positions and allied installations in the region, including locations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, resulting in damage and civilian casualties.

Tehran maintains that the United States is ultimately responsible for the war and the resulting danger to civilians, saying its actions are a response to what it characterizes as U.S.–led aggression.