DUBAI (VINnews) — Several Gulf Arab states have informed Iran that they stand ready to launch retaliatory strikes, either on their own or in coordination with others, should Tehran attack their infrastructure in response to renewed American military action, mediators said.

The warnings come as Gulf governments actively prepare for the possibility of a major U.S. offensive that could begin as early as this week. Diplomatic channels remain stalled, with mediators reporting little progress toward de-escalation.

Officials across the region have conducted security drills covering airports and other critical sites as they brace for potential Iranian counterstrikes that could target energy facilities, civilian infrastructure and economic assets.

In Qatar, the nationwide WATAN 2026 exercise reached Hamad International Airport on Monday. Qatar Airways said it was participating in contingency and readiness activities at the airport as part of the annual drill, which involves military and civilian entities testing emergency response and coordination. The airline said flights and passenger services would continue normally.

The United Arab Emirates has also stepped up preparations. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said Sunday at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain that the Emirates do not want another round of fighting but are prepared for the worst-case scenario. He stressed a preference for a diplomatic agreement while noting that Gulf states remain in contact with Tehran through various channels.

“We don’t really want to see another round of confrontation in the region,” Gargash said, according to accounts of his remarks. He added that failure to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran would force the region to confront the worst outcome.

Iranian officials have warned of broad retaliation if the United States resumes strikes. Tehran has previously threatened targets including energy infrastructure, desalination plants, airports and other civilian and economic sites across the Gulf. Iranian leaders have also said any future conflict could be longer and less geographically limited than earlier rounds of fighting.

The Trump administration has continued diplomatic efforts through Arab mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan, aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that the supreme leader had granted the government certain powers over the talks and that Tehran would seek to resolve the issue through dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described intensive consultations via mediators.

Despite those efforts, regional officials describe little headway. Gulf states have expressed concern that another U.S.-Israeli campaign against a better-prepared Iran could trigger a more destructive cycle of retaliation that damages their own economies and civilian infrastructure.

President Trump has been described as leaning toward a large post-midterm attack that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, while still giving diplomatic channels a chance to produce results. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed for strikes to resume promptly, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The developments leave the energy-rich Gulf states caught between their close security ties to Washington and the risk of Iranian reprisals against the facilities that underpin their economies.