Iran's Bold Warning: Retaliation Looms Over US Attacks on Oil Infrastructure

Iran's Response to US Military Actions

Tehran: Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, has issued a stern warning that any assault on the nation's oil and energy sectors will lead to retaliatory strikes against regional facilities associated with American interests.

In a discussion with a US media outlet, Araghchi addressed the recent US airstrike on Kharg Island, a crucial oil terminal in southern Iran, and President Trump's threats regarding potential attacks on the island's oil infrastructure if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is hindered.

"Our military has made it clear that any attack on our oil and energy infrastructure will be met with retaliation. We will target any energy facility in the region that is owned or partially owned by US companies," Araghchi stated.

He further alleged that the US strikes were launched from two sites in the UAE: Ras Al-Khaimah and a location near Dubai, warning that using densely populated areas for such attacks poses significant risks.

"While we will retaliate, we aim to avoid civilian areas," he emphasized.

Reinforcing this message, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the nation's main military command, declared that any assault on Iran's oil, economic, or energy infrastructure would result in immediate strikes on regional facilities linked to US companies. Spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that "all oil, economic, and energy infrastructure tied to US interests will be obliterated and turned to ashes," as reported by the official IRNA news agency.

Araghchi confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains accessible for shipping, except for vessels belonging to Iran's adversaries and their allies. Although some ships are avoiding the waterway due to security issues, many tankers continue to navigate through it.

Despite the recent strike, oil exports from Kharg Island are proceeding without interruption. Ehsan Jahanian, the deputy governor of Bushehr province, informed a semi-official news agency that while military facilities and the airport on Kharg sustained damage, there were no casualties, and commercial activities are ongoing.

On February 28, joint attacks by Israel and the United States targeted Tehran and other Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military officials, and over 1,300 civilians. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israeli and US bases and assets throughout the Middle East.