Iran threatens to strike hotels housing US soldiers across the region

Iran's armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi issued an explicit threat on state television on 26 March 2026 to attack hotels and civilian facilities housing US military personnel across the Middle East region. 'When all the Americans (forces) go into a hotel, then from our perspective that hotel becomes American,' Shekarchi said. 'Should we just stand by and let the Americans strike us? When we respond, naturally, we have to strike wherever they are.' The threat is significant given US military personnel are billeted in hotels and civilian facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq — all within range of Iranian missiles and drones. The statement aligns with the Shuwaikh Port drone attack against Kuwait and ongoing strikes against Gulf state civilian and economic infrastructure.