Tehran today threatened to strike key infrastructure in the Middle East, immediately responding to the ultimatum issued by the US president to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, warning that otherwise the US would strike and wipe out Iran’s power plants.
“If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours from this exact time chronologically, the US will strike and annihilate their various power plants, starting with the largest one,” Trump threatened in a message posted on Truth Social just before 2 a.m. (local time).
Iran immediately responded: if Washington follows through with its threat, the Iranian military will target the “energy, technology, information and water desalination” infrastructure in the region that is linked to Israel and the US.
As the 23rd day of the war, which erupted on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, attacks continue in the Middle East.
In the early hours of today, the Israeli military said it had launched strikes “in the heart of Tehran”, without giving any further details.
Iran struck southern Israel twice yesterday Saturday, causing damage and many injuries.
The first strike targeted a residential area in Dimona, a town where a strategic nuclear research center is located in the Negev desert, and resulted in the injury of some 30 people, including one seriously.
The second was launched against the town of Arad and caused the injury of 84 people, 10 of whom are in serious condition.
“This is a very difficult night in the battle for our future,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “We are determined to continue to strike our enemies on all fronts,” he stressed.
The fourth week of the Middle East conflict has begun with attacks on nuclear infrastructure. Targeting Dimona, which is about five kilometres from the Israeli nuclear research centre, Iran said it retaliated against Israel’s strike on one of its nuclear facilities in Natanz, south of Tehran.
The Israeli military assured that it “has not been informed” of such a strike, and Israel’s state-run Kan TV network reported that it was a US action.
The Iranian Atomic Energy Agency said “no leakage of radioactive materials” was observed at Natanz, which was also bombed in early March.
“No abnormal levels of radioactivity were detected,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said of the Dimona attack, after which there was “no evidence” of damage to the Israeli nuclear research centre.
In the wake of the strikes in Natanz, Iran, and Dimona, Israel, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi called for “maximum military restraint” to avoid the risk of nuclear catastrophe.
Israel is considered the only country in the Middle East to have nuclear weapons, although it does not officially confirm this.
Missiles against Riyadh
Meanwhile, Iranian retaliation against Gulf countries continues as Tehran seeks to destabilize global hydrocarbon supplies.
Today three ballistic missiles targeted the Riyadh area, the capital of Saudi Arabia. One was intercepted and two landed in unpopulated areas, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry, which also reported, as in previous days, the destruction of several drones.
The United Arab Emirates also said it was reacting to missile and drone attacks by Iran.
The United Arab Emirates also said it was reacting to missile and drone attacks by Iran.
Tehran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route, has caused oil and gas prices to skyrocket causing concern for the global economy.
In addition, an “unidentified missile” exploded today near a cargo ship sailing in the Gulf north of the Emirati city of Sharjah, the UK Maritime Safety Agency UKMTO said, adding that the crew were safe.
About twenty countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Britain, France and Japan, said they are “ready to contribute to the efforts” needed to open the Strait.
