Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it would consider U.S. And Israeli energy and infrastructure facilities “lawful” targets if President Donald Trump proceeds with threats to strike Iranian energy facilities, according to a statement carried by Reuters on Saturday.
The statement directly responds to an ultimatum issued by President Trump, who demanded Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face military action. Trump threatened to “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants, starting with the largest, in a post on Truth Social.
The IRGC statement asserted that Iran did not initiate the current conflict and does not seek to escalate it. However, it explicitly linked retaliation to any attack on its power plants, stating that Iran would “do everything to defend the country and the interests of our people.” The IRGC also warned that companies with U.S. Shares would be “completely destroyed” in the event of an attack.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global choke point for oil and gas transport supplying roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil, has been significantly restricted since early March, following the start of the conflict with Iran, according to reports. The effective closure has already contributed to a spike in global energy prices, impacting consumers in the United States.
President Trump on Friday described reopening the strait as a “simple military maneuver,” while also criticizing NATO for a perceived lack of support in the effort. He stated that reopening the waterway required “ships” and “volume,” and lamented that NATO had not demonstrated “the courage” to assist.
The U.S. Has signaled a readiness to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, but has not yet launched such a mission.
Iran previously indicated it would completely close the Strait of Hormuz if President Trump acted on his threats, according to a report from The Guardian.
