As Iran’s oil exports have been severely reduced due to United States sanctions, the president of the Islamic Republic responded to Trump administration’s decision to reduce Iran’s oil export to zero: “This is not possible, and we have various methods to sell our oil. With such a decision, the United States is hurting all the nations and oil companies in the world and even its own nation.”

While most Arab countries in the region consider Iran’s military program a threat, Rouhani mentioned Saddam Hossein’s attack on Kuwait, and addressed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates: “In addition to Kuwait, Saddam was after occupying Saudi Arabia, Emirates, and Qatar.”

He continued: “You owe your lives to the Islamic Republic, and this is not a lie or a slogan. It was we who didn’t allow them to destroy your countries and dominate you, how is it that you are working with our enemies now?"

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain accuse the Islamic Republic of meddling in their domestic affairs and supporting Shia opposition groups. Bahrain recently arrested over 130 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps affiliates trying to create a Hezbollah-style Shia militia in Bahrain.

Among these countries, Saudi Arabia has completely cut off diplomatic ties with Iran after both of its diplomatic offices in Tehran and Mashhad were set on fire.