Iran says it will ‘irreversibly destroy’ Middle East infrastructure if US attacks energy sites
Iran says it will ‘irreversibly destroy’ Middle East infrastructure if US attacks energy sites
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/22/iran-says-destroy-middle-east-infrastructure-us-energy-sites
Tehran has vowed to ‘irreversibly destroy’ critical infrastructure in the Middle East, including key water systems, in response to a U.S. threat to obliterate its power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is fully opened within two days. The escalation came as Iranian missiles targeted two southern Israeli cities overnight, injuring dozens, and as Tehran deployed long-range missiles for the first time, raising fears of a broader conflict.
The Iranian parliament’s speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared that vital infrastructure in the region—such as energy and desalination facilities—would be treated as a valid target if Iran’s own systems were under attack. He warned that these sites would be ‘irreversibly destroyed’ in retaliation. Meanwhile, Amnesty International highlighted the ‘substantial risk’ that strikes on essential services like electricity and water could breach international law, potentially qualifying as war crimes due to their impact on civilians.
“Threats and terror are only strengthening Iranian unity,” said President Masoud Pezeshkian. “The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation.”
On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden set a 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil route, or face a ‘hit and obliterate’ campaign targeting Iranian power plants. Iran’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation, Ali Mousavi, stated that the strait remained accessible to all shipping except vessels associated with “Iran’s enemies,” with coordination ensuring safe passage.
The attacks effectively blocked the narrow strait, which transports roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas. This has triggered the worst oil crisis since the 1970s, with European gas prices rising by up to 35% last week. Friendly nations like China, India, and Pakistan saw limited traffic, while Iran’s enemies faced restricted access.
More than 2,000 people have died since 28 February, when U.S. and Israeli strikes began targeting Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has hit Israeli and Gulf state facilities, drawing Lebanon into the conflict after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel. Air raid alarms echoed across Israel on Sunday, following missile strikes on Arad and Dimona, which wounded around 200 individuals, including two young children in critical condition.
Israeli military officials confirmed they could not intercept the missiles that hit Dimona and Arad, the closest major cities to the Negev Desert nuclear complex. The site, believed to house the Middle East’s sole nuclear arsenal, was targeted by Iran’s first successful penetration of Israel’s air defense systems. The Israeli army vowed to strike Tehran in response, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising to “personally pursue” leaders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
