Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters issued a statement on Friday warning that Israeli military aircraft flying through the airspace of neighbouring countries towards Iran constitute a “dangerous act” and a threat. The command declared that if the United States fails to restrain Israel, Iran will not tolerate any threat and reserves the right to respond. The warning, reported by Iranian state media, did not specify which neighbours were involved, but it signals Tehran’s concern over Israeli air activity in the region and its determination to hold Washington accountable for the actions of its ally.

Simultaneously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yisrael Katz delivered public remarks reinforcing Israel’s military posture. Netanyahu stated that Israel had removed an “existential threat” by preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and vowed that Iran would not obtain such weapons under his watch. Katz said Israel would remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, and warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would be met with a response demonstrating Israel’s “superiority of power”. These statements, made at a military ceremony, underscore Israel’s intention to maintain forward positions and freedom of action against perceived Iranian threats.

The exchange occurs amid revelations about the extent of damage to US military infrastructure in the region. The Wall Street Journal, cited by Italian news agency AGI, reported that the US Navy’s base in Bahrain was repeatedly struck and heavily damaged by Iranian bombardments between late February and June, contradicting earlier Pentagon assurances of no significant impact. Satellite imagery and interviews indicate that the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet and over a dozen buildings were hit. The Pentagon is now assessing whether to restructure the base, reduce presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and possibly relocate assets further west or underground, according to the report. The estimated cost of the conflict has reached $29 billion, excluding base damage, with one think tank putting the total at $40 billion.

Viewed from Tehran, the warning serves to caution neighbouring states against facilitating Israeli overflights and to frame any future Iranian response as a legitimate act of self-defence. From Washington’s perspective, the damage to the Bahrain base and the broader financial toll are prompting a reassessment of force posture in the Gulf. The developments risk complicating any potential ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, as Israeli military activity in the Gulf is increasingly seen as a variable that could derail diplomatic efforts. No formal diplomatic steps have been announced, but the situation remains tense, with both sides publicly asserting their readiness to respond to perceived threats.