Middle East — Ekhbary News Agency
Iran issued a stark warning on Thursday, asserting it would "crush" critical regional targets if the United States follows through on President Donald Trump's threats to strike Iranian infrastructure. Trump had indicated in a Tuesday interview that US forces would target power plants and bridges next week unless diplomatic negotiations commenced. Tehran views any interference in the Strait of Hormuz as an "invincible red line," a military spokesperson declared on Telegram, vowing that all intact infrastructure in the region would face "steel blows" if American actions escalated.
Escalating Military Actions and US Strikes
The heightened rhetoric follows recent US strikes against Iran, launched earlier this week in retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command confirmed a fresh wave of overnight attacks, concluding at 9 p.m. ET, targeting Iranian command centers, air defense sites, and missile capabilities. Centcom emphasized the use of precision munitions against locations including Bandar Abbas, aiming to degrade Iran's ability to threaten maritime traffic. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, for his part, warned on Wednesday that their fighters would "respond with full force and power to US aggressions," underscoring that their "hands are not tied."
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Economic Impact and Expert Outlook
Amidst these tensions, global oil prices reacted sharply, with Brent crude futures for September delivery declining 0.5% to $84.42 per barrel by early Thursday, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures falling almost 0.2%. For what it's worth, Reuters also reported, citing anonymous sources, that Iran might be urging Yemen's Houthi rebels to prepare for a potential closure of the Red Sea oil route. Clark H. Summers, an adjunct professor at Belmont Abbey College, foresees a likely stalemate, predicting continued US precision airstrikes against Iranian drone and missile launch sites, alongside efforts to protect neutral shipping in the Persian Gulf.
