Iran says it will ‘irreversibly destroy’ Middle East infrastructure if US attacks energy sites
Iran says it will ‘irreversibly destroy’ Middle East infrastructure if US attacks energy sites
Hours after Donald Trump issued a warning to target Iran’s power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz was unblocked within two days, Tehran declared it would “irreversibly destroy” vital Middle East infrastructure in response to any U.S. strikes on its energy facilities. The escalation came as Iranian missiles hit two southern Israeli cities overnight, leaving dozens injured and several buildings damaged. These incidents signaled a rising risk of war intensifying across the region, now in its fourth week.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on Sunday that “essential infrastructure, including energy and oil facilities,” would be considered legitimate targets for retaliation if Iran’s own infrastructure was struck. The Iranian military’s operations chief, Khatam al-Anbiya, added that closing the strait would be a priority, vowing it would remain shut until Iran’s power plants were rebuilt. The statement also named Israel’s energy infrastructure, along with U.S. bases and companies in the region, as potential targets.
“Threats and terror are only strengthening Iranian unity,” said President Masoud Pezeshkian. “The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation.”
Trump had given Iran a 48-hour deadline to open Hormuz, or face “hitting and obliterating” its power plants, starting with the largest. In response, Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation, claimed the strait was open to all ships except those connected to “Iran’s enemies,” provided security protocols were coordinated with Tehran.
The attacks effectively closed the narrow strait, a key route for roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas. This led to the worst oil crisis since the 1970s, pushing European gas prices up by 35% last week. Only about 5% of the pre-war vessel traffic has been permitted, restricted to countries like China, India, and Pakistan deemed friendly by Tehran.
Since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, over 2,000 people have died. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israel and Gulf states, drawing Lebanon into the conflict after Iran-backed Hezbollah struck Israeli positions. Air raid alarms rang across Israel early Sunday, following attacks on Arad and Dimona that injured scores. The Israeli military confirmed it could not intercept the missiles.
“We’re going after the regime. We’re going after the IRGC, this criminal gang,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Arad. “We’re going after them personally, their leaders, their installations, their economic assets.”
The strikes marked the first time Iranian missiles had breached Israel’s air defense in the Negev region, where the country’s nuclear complex is located. The attacks wounded around 200 people, including two young children in critical condition. While Israeli media hinted at possible fatalities, no official confirmation was released. Iran attributed the strikes to a U.S. attack on its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, though Israel denied involvement.
On Sunday, an additional attack in Tel Aviv injured 15 individuals using cluster bombs, further straining Israel’s air defense systems. The ongoing clashes are increasing pressure on the nation’s security infrastructure, with Iranian strikes growing in frequency and intensity.
