HOUSTON, United States

US and Saudi Arabian officials are on high alert after learning of an impending attack on the kingdom by Iran, according to intelligence sources.

The Wall Street Journal reported that officials from both countries have shared concerns about Iran's imminent threat, which includes information that Tehran is also looking to strike US troops in Erbil, Iraq as a distraction from protests against Iran's leadership.

“We are concerned about the threat picture, and we remain in constant contact through military and intelligence channels with the Saudis,” the National Security Council said in a statement. “We will not hesitate to act in the defense of our interests and partners in the region.”

Iran has already carried out a barrage of attacks in northern Iraq, where US troops have been stationed, since late September.

The urgent threat level has put the American military and other allied forces in the Middle East on elevated alert status.

"We will reserve the right to protect and defend ourselves no matter where our forces are serving, whether in Iraq or elsewhere," said Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder on Tuesday.

Tehran has publicly blamed what it calls Iranian Kurdish separatist groups for carrying out attacks and has accused Saudi Arabia, Israel and the US of instigating demonstrations against the Iranian government through news coverage in the region.

Iran has warned Saudi Arabia against covering the protests on Farsi news stations.

"This is our last warning, because you are interfering in our internal affairs through these media," Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami said in remarks reported by Iranian state media. "You are involved in this matter and know that you are vulnerable."

The threat level from Iran comes at a critical time in US-Saudi relations, as there are strained ties between President Joe Biden's administration and Riyadh concerning Saudi Arabia's move to cut oil production last month, despite pleas by the US to hold off on the decision.

The Saudi-led OPEC+ move raised oil prices during a period of high inflation and took place right before the US midterm elections on Nov. 8.

The White House said Biden wants to review the relationship regarding national security interests. But experts say the US is unlikely to abandon Saudi Arabia as it would risk Washington’s counterterrorism operations in the Middle East.