The ongoing standoff got more intense after a 48-hour deadline from U.S. President Donald Trump triggered a sharp response from Iran, with officials now warning of potential strikes against critical infrastructure across the Gulf region. This comes as there are heightened concerns about disruptions to water and energy supplies in Iran, which relies heavily on desalination plants for fresh water.
Iran sends bold threats after Donald Trump’s ultimatum
In a statement carried by domestic media, a senior Iranian military spokesman outlined the country’s red lines. “If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy infrastructure, as well as information technology…and water desalination facilities, belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted pursuant to previous warnings,” said Ebrahim Zolfaqari (via Reuters).
The threats came after Donald Trump issued a late-night warning on Saturday, giving Iranian authorities until Monday evening to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway has long been a flashpoint, with a significant portion of the world’s oil passing through its waters.
Military activity seems to have already picked up across the region. Early Monday, Israeli forces launched an extensive operation against Iranian-linked targets in Tehran. The strikes followed overnight air raid sirens in central and northern Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the occupied West Bank, after incoming fire was detected from Iranian territory.
Local news outlets said a residential section in western Khorramabad was hit, killing at least one child and wounding several others. In the northwestern city of Urmia, an airstrike damaged a neighborhood, with rescue teams later shown searching through debris.
The recent escalation comes after more than three weeks of sustained U.S. and Israeli strikes that officials say have degraded much of Iran’s missile arsenal. Despite those setbacks, Tehran has shown it can still launch retaliatory strikes, keeping tensions high (via Reuters).
