Tehran has issued a stern warning to regional neighbors, cautioning that any country serving as a defensive shield for the United States will face the consequences of a widening conflict. This declaration follows reports that the US and Israel may be preparing imminent strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure, including power plants and petrochemical facilities.
Major General Ali Abdollahi, the head of Iran’s wartime military command, stated on Saturday that the United States is accelerating toward a full-scale regional war. He accused Washington of utilizing the capital, resources, and infrastructure of neighboring states to protect its own interests while bolstering Israel’s military capabilities. Abdollahi warned that nations aligning with the US in these actions would inevitably burn in the fire of war.
Reports from US media suggest that President Donald Trump has not yet finalized authorization for an operation that could last up to two weeks. The proposed campaign aims to disrupt electricity across Tehran and create widespread instability throughout the country. Meanwhile, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies noted this week that while US air defenses have performed effectively, persistent combat has depleted missile interceptor stockpiles, with Patriot inventories falling below 1,000 and THAAD units at approximately 250.
In response to the threat of what it terms “potential madness,” the Iranian state-linked Tasnim news agency reported that the country’s armed forces have finalized an extensive retaliation plan targeting infrastructure linked to both the US and Israel. An unnamed source cited by the agency warned that the global economy and American voters would ultimately pay the price for such aggression.
Earlier this week, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz expressed a desire to strike Iranian energy targets. However, he noted during a security conference broadcast on Channel 14 that the United States is currently withholding approval due to fears of an Iranian counterstrike on neighboring countries and the potential for a global oil crisis. Katz added that Israel remains prepared to set Iran back 40 years.
The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28, has seen both sides target civilian infrastructure. These strikes have severely impacted Iran’s economy and energy stability, affecting more than 90 million people. In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army have launched ballistic missiles and drones at military bases and energy facilities across Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
Regional hostilities have intensified significantly in recent days. Overnight into Thursday, the US military struck at least five Iranian provinces, targeting IRGC command centers, air-defense sites, and maritime facilities. Casualties included several soldiers and civilians, among them a two-year-old child killed in Qeshm. By Saturday, Kuwait reported that its air defenses intercepted multiple Iranian drones, resulting in damage to civilian vehicles and government property.
Maritime tensions are also rising, with Western authorities reporting that at least two vessels were struck off the coast of Oman. Iranian state media broadcast footage from near a damaged ship, framing the incident as a consequence of trusting US promises regarding safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway remains closed to traffic not authorized by the IRGC, and Iran has maintained that it will continue to use the strait as strategic leverage.
In Iraq, the situation remains volatile with sporadic drone attacks targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition groups. Pro-Iran media outlets released footage on Saturday appearing to show a refinery in Erbil on fire. These developments follow joint US-Saudi strikes on Iraqi forces aligned with Tehran, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 fighters and several IRGC advisers.
The US-Saudi operation was launched in response to attacks on Saudi energy facilities and disruptions in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb by the Iran-aligned Houthis. Riyadh is currently attempting to assemble an international coalition to secure the Red Sea, a vital link to the Suez Canal.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military continues to occupy territory, destroying infrastructure and detonating structures associated with Hezbollah. In Tehran, the public discourse remains focused on vengeance for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the onset of the war.
Hardline publications like the newspaper Keyhan have emphasized Iran’s resilience, while officials such as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have urged the government to consolidate its wartime gains. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has also reiterated the country’s firm stance as the regional situation continues to deteriorate.
“The United States is not approving it at present, because of concern that Iran would strike neighbouring countries and there would be a global oil crisis,” he told a security conference broadcast by Channel 14, adding t
Since the start of the war on February 28, the US and Israel have hit military bases and leaders across Iran, but also targeted the country’s civilian infrastructure, parts of which will require years and extensive inves
The bombing has only exacerbated Iran’s internal woes, including a contracting economy and a major energy imbalance that are squeezing more than 90 million Iranians.
“It is hereby stated explicitly: Muslim countries must, with foresight, monitor America’s crimes and reconsider their cooperation and alignment with the US.
Since the start of the war on February 28, the US and Israel have hit military bases and leaders across Iran, but also targeted the country’s civilian infrastructure, parts of which will require years and extensive investments to rebuild.
Two Kurdish armed groups separately claimed they were targeted on Friday.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not sent any requests for negotiations to Washington amid the latest attacks, but messages have been relayed through mediators, and discussions are ongoing over how to handle an eventual reopening of the strait.
Speaking on Saturday, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf again appeared to signal a need to reach a negotiated resolution that would formalise perceived gains from military action.
But the victories of this war must be solidified, we must be able to register this victory,” he said during a meeting with hardline lawmakers, adding that the country needs to have hope for a clear future.
Ghalibaf said authorities must aim to give the office of the supreme leader in Iran greater latitude in making decisions about the future, but did not elaborate.
A huge banner in central Tehran’s Valiasr Square depicted a boy with a red headband carrying a flag of blood revenge.
“Trump, his advisers and allies are frustrated by Iran’s steadfastness,” read the headline from Keyhan, a hardline daily newspaper.
