Iran warns of 'devastating' retaliation against US and Israel over infrastructure attacks
Iran's top commander has threatened severe consequences if the country's infrastructure is targeted, stating that attacks on bridges, power plants, or energy facilities will prompt strikes on US and Israeli assets in the region
Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): A top Iranian commander has warned that if the US or Israel attacks Iranian infrastructure, there will be "devastating and continuous" attacks on all US military bases and Israeli infrastructure in West Asia.
The warning was issued by Ali Abdullahi, the commander in chief of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. The statement comes as US President Donald Trump's 10-day deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz expires on Monday. "After repeatedly accepting defeat, the aggressive and warmongering US president has taken a desperate, panicked, unbalanced and foolish step by threatening to target Iran's infrastructure and national assets," Abdullahi said.
He said the Iranian armed forces would not hesitate "even for a moment" to defend the country's rights and protect national assets and would "show the aggressors their place." In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to reach a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz," and added, "Time is running out and there are 48 hours left, then they will be devastated."
On March 21, Trump warned that if Iran did not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, he would "destroy and destroy" its power plants. However, two days later, after "positive talks" with Tehran, he postponed the attacks for five days. He later extended the deadline again.
Meanwhile, Iran's IRGC navy said it targeted an Israeli-linked ship with a drone, setting it on fire. In a statement released on its official news outlet, Sepah News, the IRGC confirmed the attack, saying its forces targeted an Israeli-owned commercial vessel in a port in Bahrain.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iran has allowed ships carrying essential and humanitarian goods to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to its ports. These developments come amid heightened tensions in the region following joint US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28, which Iran and its regional allies have retaliated with attacks on Israeli and US interests in the Middle East.