Iran vows to destroy Middle East water and energy facilities if US attacks power plants
Iran vows to destroy Middle East water and energy facilities if US attacks power plants
Tehran has warned that it will “irreversibly destroy” critical infrastructure throughout the Middle East, including essential water systems, should the US proceed with Donald Trump’s threat to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is fully opened within two days. The escalation comes as Iranian missiles struck two southern Israeli cities overnight, injuring dozens, and as Tehran deployed long-range missiles for the first time, signaling a potential heightening of hostilities in the fourth week of the conflict.
Iran’s Escalating Threat
The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on Sunday that vital infrastructure in the region—such as energy and desalination facilities—would be deemed a valid target and “irreversibly destroyed” if Iran’s own infrastructure faced attacks. Amnesty International highlighted this month that strikes on systems providing essential services, like electricity and water, could breach international law and “in some cases amount to war crimes” due to the risk of massive civilian casualties.
“Vast, predictable, and devastating civilian harm” could result from such attacks, according to the organization.
Strait of Hormuz Closure and Oil Crisis
Iran’s military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, declared it would target “all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure” of the US and Israel in the region. The statement added that the Strait of Hormuz would remain “completely closed” until Iran’s power plants, damaged by Trump’s threat, were rebuilt. The strait, a crucial oil route, has effectively been shut down, causing the world’s worst oil crisis since the 1970s and pushing European gas prices up by 35% last week.
Currently, only about 5% of prewar vessel traffic, from countries like China, India, and Pakistan, is allowed through the strait, with Tehran blocking access to ships tied to its adversaries. The closure has disrupted global energy supplies, amplifying economic strain across regions.
Trump’s Ultimatum and US Defense
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, called Trump’s threats and attacks “only strengthening Iranian unity” and dismissed the notion of erasing Iran from the map as a sign of “desperation against the will of a history-making nation.” Meanwhile, US President Trump set a 48-hour deadline—until shortly before midnight GMT on Monday—for Iran to open the strait or face “hit and obliterate” strikes on its power plants, starting with the largest.
“The president is not messing around,” said US ambassador Mike Waltz, defending the threat and noting that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps controls much of the country’s infrastructure used for its war effort.
Regional Involvement and Civilian Impact
Israel’s military confirmed it could not intercept missiles hitting the southern towns of Arad and Dimona, near the country’s nuclear center. Patients were evacuated from Imam Ali hospital in Andimeshk following an airstrike the previous day, as reported by the Iranian health ministry spokesperson, Hossein Kermanpour. Air-raid sirens echoed across Israel on Sunday morning, warning of incoming missiles after scores of injuries were reported in overnight attacks.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, visited Arad and vowed to “strike Tehran in retaliation,” targeting “senior IRGC commanders” and their “economic assets.” The Israeli army announced plans to strike Iran’s infrastructure, framing the conflict as a battle against “this criminal gang” responsible for the war’s toll.
Escalation and Casualties
Since February 28, over 2,000 people have died in Iran as a result of US and Israeli strikes. In response, Tehran has targeted Israeli and Gulf state facilities, drawing Lebanon into the conflict after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel. The ongoing war has already triggered significant disruptions, with the Strait of Hormuz closure being a pivotal flashpoint for global energy stability.