Mohammad Marandi, a former member of Iran’s negotiation team and a figure close to the regime, has issued a stark warning urging people to leave several Gulf countries immediately.

Marandi called for the evacuation of the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, while also urging all sailors in the Persian Gulf to prepare to abandon their vessels.

He specifically warned that ships near the Strait of Hormuz could be the first targets in the event of escalation, describing the situation as urgent and time-sensitive.

The statement comes amid rising regional tensions and increased military activity, fueling fears of a potential escalation that could impact critical global shipping routes.