**Iran Warns Trump Against Striking Infrastructure, Calls Strait of Hormuz a ‘Red Line’**
Iran has issued a stern warning to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his threats to target Iranian infrastructure. On Thursday, Iranian officials emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas shipments, is an inviolable "red line" for the country. They stated that any military action against Iran's infrastructure would prompt retaliatory strikes on U.S. and allied facilities throughout the Gulf region.
The tensions escalated following a series of U.S. military actions, which included airstrikes that began on Wednesday night and have continued into a fifth consecutive night. The U.S. has also reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, a move it claims is necessary to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had closed after a fragile truce collapsed last Saturday.
Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, characterized the current situation as an "essential and existential war with America." Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, a spokesperson for the Iranian army, reinforced the notion that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's firm control. He stated, "The Americans thought that by attacking some of our bases on the southern coasts of the country, they could take control of this strategic strait. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran has the ability to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz from every single point of its territory."
Reports indicate that U.S. military strikes are not only aimed at reopening the strait but also at degrading Iranian military capabilities in preparation for potential future operations. In response, Iran's military has vowed to resist American interventions, asserting that the only way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is for the U.S. to adhere to a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed in June, which outlines regulations for ship traffic in the strait.
In a direct response to Trump's threats to target Iranian power plants and bridges, Akraminia warned that if such actions were taken, Iran's armed forces would retaliate by striking "all remaining infrastructure" across the region. He cautioned that the response would be more severe and expansive than previous attacks.
Iran has also targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait and Jordan, warning neighboring countries that facilitating U.S. military actions against Iran would have consequences. An Iranian army statement emphasized that allowing the U.S. to launch attacks from their territory is "unacceptable and will not go unanswered." Reports from early Thursday indicated that sirens were activated in Bahrain, with Kuwait responding to perceived "hostile drone threats."
Iran's military claimed responsibility for targeting the Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan with ballistic missiles. Additionally, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported the destruction of a satellite communications center and early warning radar at the Ali Al Salem Air Base, along with a U.S. military pier in Kuwait's Al Shuaiba region. The Bahraini Defense Ministry later confirmed that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks aimed at the kingdom.
The ongoing escalation of hostilities, coupled with Iran's threats to disrupt regional energy exports, raises concerns about a potential return to full-scale conflict in the region. Analysts suggest that Iran may leverage its Houthi allies in Yemen to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which would open a new front against U.S. interests and jeopardize another vital energy corridor.
The conflict has already resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, particularly impacting Iran and Lebanon, where renewed clashes have erupted between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely, concerned about the implications of further military actions in the region.