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
Tehran has declared it will permanently damage critical infrastructure throughout the Middle East, such as essential water systems, if the US proceeds with Donald Trump’s plan to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants. This threat comes as Iranian missiles targeted two southern Israeli cities overnight, injuring several dozen individuals, and as Tehran introduced long-range missiles for the first time. These actions hint at a possible sharp escalation in the conflict, now entering its fourth week, with both sides targeting facilities essential to millions of people.
On Sunday, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, stated that Iran would consider energy and desalination facilities in the region as valid targets. He claimed these structures would be “irreversibly destroyed” once Iran’s own infrastructure was under attack. Amnesty International warned that attacks on systems providing electricity, heating, and water could breach international law and, in certain instances, constitute war crimes due to the risk of widespread, predictable civilian casualties.
“Vital infrastructure in the region, including energy and desalination facilities, would be deemed a legitimate target and would be ‘irreversibly destroyed’ as soon as our own infrastructure is struck.”
The Iranian military’s operational command headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, announced it would strike “all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and [Israel] in the region.” The statement further claimed that if Trump’s threat was executed, the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely closed” and not reopened until Iran’s power plants were rebuilt. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, asserted that “threats and terror only strengthen Iranian unity,” while the “illusion of erasing Iran from the map” revealed “desperation against the will of a history-making nation.”
On Saturday, the US president gave Iran 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil transport, or face the “hit and obliterate” of Iranian power plants, starting with the largest ones. Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative at the International Maritime Organisation, noted that the strait was open for all shipping except vessels tied to “Iran’s enemies,” with coordination enabling passage for friendly nations like China, India, and Pakistan. However, the strait has effectively been blocked, disrupting oil and gas flows and triggering the world’s most severe oil crisis since the 1970s, with European gas prices rising by 35% last week.
Since 28 February, when the US and Israel began attacking Iran, over 2,000 people have been killed. In retaliation, Tehran has struck locations in Israel and the Gulf states. Lebanon joined the conflict after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel. Air sirens rang across Israel early Sunday, signaling incoming Iranian missiles following overnight strikes on Arad and Dimona. The Israeli army confirmed it would retaliate, targeting Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting Arad, vowed to “pursue senior commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards personally,” labeling them a “criminal gang.”
Israel’s military stated it could not intercept the missiles that hit Dimona and Arad, the closest major cities to the Negev Desert nuclear center. This site, believed to house the Middle East’s sole nuclear arsenal, was reportedly the focus of the attacks. The strikes marked the first instance of Iranian missiles penetrating Israel’s air defense systems in the area. Around 200 people were injured, including a 12-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, both in critical condition. Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 reported possible fatalities, though no official confirmation was issued. Iran confirmed the attacks had been launched.
