To everyone who links Iranâs attacks to the excuse of U.S. bases:
A list of some of the terrorist operations and treacherous attacks carried out by Iran against Gulf countries in the 1980sâbefore any real U.S. presence in the Gulf:
1981 â Bahrain: An Iran-backed coup attempt to overthrow the government.
1983 â Kuwait: Coordinated bombings targeting 6 vital facilities within 90 minutes (embassies, airport, refinery).
1984 â Saudi Arabia: An Iranian naval attack on a Saudi oil tanker.
1984 â Kuwait: Targeting Kuwaiti oil tankers.
1984 â Kuwait: Hijacking of the Al-Jabriya aircraft and diverting it to Tehran, with passengers harmed and killed.
1985 â Kuwait: Attempted assassination of the Emir of Kuwait and bombings in public cafĂ©s.
1986 â Saudi Arabia (Jeddah Airport): Iranian pilgrims caught with 51 kg of explosives (C4).
1987 â Saudi Arabia: Riots during Hajj resulting in the deaths of more than 400 people.
1987 â Saudi Arabia: Establishment of what is known as âHezbollah al-Hejazâ with Iranian support, and the start of its terrorist activities inside the Kingdom.
1987 â Saudi Arabia: Seizure and storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran, assaulting diplomats and detaining them.
1987 â Bahrain: Foiled plot to bomb the Bahrain refinery.
1988 â Saudi Arabia: Bombings targeting oil facilities and other operations thwarted.
1988 â Saudi Arabia: Targeting Saudi diplomats in Karachi by Iran.
1988â1989 â Saudi Arabia: Arrest of Iran-linked cells attempting to smuggle explosives near the Grand Mosque.
Note: The first U.S. base in the Gulf was established in Kuwait in 1991 after its liberation.
Therefore, linking Iranian hostility to timing, behavior, or the presence of bases is misleading, as Iranian hostility is deeply rooted and openly directed against everything Gulf-related.