Iran intensified its threats towards its Gulf neighbours last week, conveying messages that it would “black out” the entire region if the United States struck its power plants and rattling off a list of specific targets, two officials tell AFP.

The warning followed threats by US President Donald Trump of a massive attack against Iran, which he later walked back over the weekend citing requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar and hope for a breakthrough in talks.

“Iran threatened to black out the Gulf, country by country, if Trump attacked its power plants,” a Gulf official tells AFP, with another regional official confirming the messaging.

Both have spoken on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.