The Russian media reports claimed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared several “Trump-branded hotels, towers and golf projects” across the Gulf as “legitimate targets.” Yet, the reports are unverified and no official response from Iran or the United States has been received (and no major international news agency has independently corroborated such claims).
According to the reports, which cite the IRGC's press service and Iran's state-run news agency IRNA, the list is also said to identify some of the most prominent Trump-branded projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The listed properties are the Trump International Hotel & Tower under construction on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, Trump Tower Riyadh, Trump Plaza Jeddah and Trump-branded golf resorts which are currently in development in Qatar.
Despite the widespread circulation of these reports, neither Tehran nor Washington has issued any official statement confirming that such a declaration has been made.
Reports Emerge Amid Rising Regional Tensions
The claims came at a time when Iran and the U.S. have been at war following months of military escalation in the region.
According to Russian reports, Iranian officials said that increasing US military pressure had ended earlier understandings that had attempted to ease regional tensions. They also warned of a possible economic instability and damage to investor confidence in the Gulf region in a series of tweets.
But these statements have not been independently verified.
Escalating Conflict
The reports come after a long-running war between Iran, the United States and Israel.
Following US and Israeli military operations earlier this year, Iran responded through the IRGC's "Truthful Promise 4" operation, launching attacks on US military assets in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and the UAE.
The conflict has also had civilian consequences. Three migrant workers from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh were killed in the early stages of Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the UAE, it is reported.
Several Gulf countries have since accused Iran of expanding its attacks beyond military bases to civilian infrastructure. Authorities have cited incidents involving airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, attempted strikes near Doha's Hamad International Airport and damage to civilian sites.
Iran, however, has always maintained that it does not consider Gulf states as its foes and has repeatedly claimed that its military actions are directed only at U.S. assets in the region.
Trump Brand Not Directly Owned by the President
These Trump-branded properties mentioned in the reports are not owned by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Instead, they operate under licensing and branding agreements with regional developers.
For example, in Dubai, the Trump International Golf Club Dubai is owned by DAMAC Properties, while the Trump International Hotel & Tower on Palm Jumeirah is being developed by DarGlobal, the international arm of Saudi real estate company Dar Al Arkan. Moreover, the Trump golf project in Doha is a joint project between DarGlobal and Qatari Diar, a state-backed real estate company.
And security experts have long noted that properties with the Trump name abroad could become symbolic targets during times of geopolitical tension when the Trump name is used, even though they are privately owned by local developers.
No Independent Verification
At present, the IRGC declaration has not been confirmed.
No official announcement has been released by the Iranian government, the IRGC or US authorities and major international news organisations have not independently verified the existence of any formal targeting list involving Trump-branded properties.
Since there is no confirmative evidence, the reports should be treated with caution.
Regional Uncertainty Continues
Meanwhile, diplomatic tension between Washington and Tehran continue to be high.
President Donald Trump has said he encourages Iran to return to negotiations and threatened military action if the situation deepens against Iranian military and energy facilities.
Iran has maintained that it will respond proportionately to any military action against it.
The standoff has also kept global energy markets on edge, especially because of uncertainty concerning the “Strait of Hormuz,” an important shipping route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
The talk about Trump-branded properties has been widely reported and not well-confirmed but it is still an open question whether it is true. Obviously, the situation in the Gulf is fragile and the geopolitical tensions are still in play there and that is not going away.
