Responding to Trump's Ultimatum: Iran Threatens to Strike Key Infrastructure in the Middle East

AFP, Tehran - Iran threatened on Sunday to strike key infrastructure in the Middle East in response to US President Trump's ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. This comes after Iran launched a particularly destructive attack on southern Israel.

On Saturday evening, Trump warned on his social media platform Truth Social that if the Strait of Hormuz is not "completely and unconditionally" reopened, the US would "target and destroy" Iran's power plants starting with the largest ones.

Iran immediately responded to this ultimatum: If Washington takes action, the Iranian military will target "energy, information technology, and desalination" infrastructure in the region.

As the war entered its 23rd day, attacks in the Middle East continued. On Sunday morning, the Israeli military said it was attacking "the center of Tehran," but did not reveal more details.

On Sunday morning, AFP journalists in Jerusalem heard explosions, following an Iranian missile alert. This was the first time since Saturday when Iran launched two major attacks on southern Israel that the missile alert was sounded. The attack caused over a hundred injured and significant damage.

On Saturday, Iran first attacked the residential area of Dimona city in the Negev Desert, which houses Israel's strategic nuclear research center, causing about 30 injuries, one of whom was seriously injured. Subsequently, Iran also attacked Arad city, causing 84 injured, 10 of whom were seriously injured. Ido Franki, 17, told AFP, "Suddenly 'boom boom'! My mom screamed." He said, "It was terrifying... (this city) has never experienced such things before."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a statement, "This is a tough night for us in the fight for the future. We are determined to continue striking the enemy on all fronts."

Nuclear Facilities Become the Focus

As the conflict in the Middle East entered its fourth week, the targets of the attacks shifted towards nuclear facilities. Iran claimed that the attack on Dimona was a response to the "enemy's" attack on the Natanz nuclear facility in southern Tehran. The Israeli military stated they were "unaware," while Israeli public TV Kan reported that the attack was carried out by the US. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization stated that there was no "radioactive material leakage" at the facility. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also stated that no "abnormal radiation levels" were detected after the attack on Dimona, but Director General Rafael Grossi called for "maximum military restraint" to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

Israel is believed to be the only country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons, but it has maintained strategic ambiguity. Trump had previously stated on February 28, when he launched a military operation jointly with Israel against Iran, that he aimed to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. Western countries suspect that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, which Iran denies. Talks related to this issue were suddenly suspended due to the outbreak of the war earlier this year.

Missile Attacks in Riyadh

Iran's retaliatory attacks also affected Gulf countries, attempting to disrupt global oil supplies. On Sunday, three ballistic missiles attacked the Riyadh area in Saudi Arabia, one of which was intercepted, and two fell in uninhabited areas. The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that it had shot down several drones in recent days. The UAE also said it had repelled Iranian missile and drone attacks. Iranian state media also reported that drones attacked a military base at Baghdad Airport.

Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key commercial route, exacerbating the surge in oil and gas prices and triggering global economic concerns. The UK Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) stated that on Sunday, a bulk carrier encountered an "unknown projectile" explosion in the Gulf north of Sharjah, UAE, with the crew safe.

More than twenty countries, including the UAE, the UK, France, and Japan, stated they were "prepared to make efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz." The European Commission called on member states to reduce their natural gas reserve targets for the next winter to ease price pressures.

Sources: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1860371448392711/

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