RIYADH, May 19: The US is trying to encircle Iran by increasing its intelligence, psychological warfare and surveillance in southern Iran, media reports quoting western diplomats said on Friday.

The diplomats indicated that the US was seeking the active support of its Gulf Cooperation Council allies in encircling Iran and non-combat operations against the government in Tehran.

“The activities will be subtle and designed to avoid a direct link to the Gulfies,” a diplomatic source quoted by Middle East Newsline (MENL) said.

“With the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United States will completely surround Iran.”

The reports about the possible encircling of Tehran came amidst reports that Iran’s neighbours - including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates - are talking to the United States about ways to bolster their defences.

Iran has ‘awakened some major concerns’ among all its neighbours, Lt Gen Jeffrey Kohler of the US Air Force said in an interview with a news agency.

“We’re in discussion with their services and their leaders to see what capabilities are required and how the United States can best fulfil those needs,” said Gen Kohler, who heads the Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency.

At stake are billions of dollars in US-built missile defence systems, ships to protect off-shore oil rigs and shipping lanes and the technology that would let Iran’s neighbours share a digitally networked view of the Gulf.

Gen Kohler’s organisation oversaw $10.6 billion in US government arms sales last year and is on track to approve about $13 billion sales this year.

Asked which Middle East countries were involved in talks sparked by concerns over Iran, he said: “Let’s just say everybody that is not Iran.”

Pressed on whether this included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, he said: “All of them.”

Potential beneficiaries of any fresh Middle East military spending wave include the top US contractors - Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Raytheon.