Iran signals swift retaliation over threats to power infrastructure

Four weeks into the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, military and civilian officials have strongly warned of immediate tit-for-tat attacks against U.S. targeting of its power plants in reaction to blocking of the strategic waterway of Strait of Horumz.

In addition to the Army’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, and Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi have, in separate statements, promised swift and forceful retaliation against Israel, as well as against regional countries hosting U.S. bases.

In New York, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a letter to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to deliberately bomb Iran’s civilian infrastructure constitutes a blatant violation of UN conventions and international humanitarian law.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran once again emphasises its inherent right to self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and reserves the right to take all necessary and proportionate measures to fully protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and vital national interests,” the letter read.

In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called for an end to the ongoing war.

He set out Tehran’s conditions as a permanent cessation of hostilities, guarantees that the U.S. and Israel will not launch further attacks on Iran, and the payment of compensation by the aggressors, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

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Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat held telephone conversations with his Omani and Indian counterparts, as well as with the EU’s foreign policy chief.

According to official media reports quoting Foreign Ministry statements, the talks focused on the latest developments in the war, during which Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s right to self-defence.

Diplomatic mediation efforts have also been reported, though there are no clear signs of de-escalation as the U.S.–Israel war on Iran enters its 24th day.

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