Iran threatens retaliation against US over potential escalation of conflict

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has issued a warning to the United States regarding potential military action against Iran’s power infrastructure. In a statement posted on X, Larijani stated that if the US were to target Iran’s electric capacity, the entire region would experience widespread power outages within 30 minutes.

Larijani also emphasized that starting a war is relatively easy, but it cannot be won with a few tweets. He vowed that Iran will not relent until it makes the US “sorry for this grave miscalculation.”

The warning comes after US President Donald Trump stated that the US had largely neutralized Iran’s military capabilities in the ongoing conflict. Trump claimed that the US could strike power systems and take out Iran’s electric capacity within an hour, which would require 25 years to rebuild.

CENTCOM reported that approximately 6,000 targets had been struck in Iran since the US and Israel launched their first strikes 12 days ago. Over 90 Iranian vessels were damaged or destroyed, including more than 60 ships, and over 30 mine-laying vessels were hit during the operation.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered his first statement, calling for national unity and stating that the Strait of Hormuz would continue to be closed to pressure Iran’s enemies. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also announced that it would not allow oil shipments through the key Gulf waterway.

Global oil prices have fluctuated wildly this week due to continued US-Israeli attacks against Iran, which has retaliated by firing missiles and drones at targets across the wider Middle East. Trump stated on Truth Social that the US is profiting from the soaring oil prices, adding that stopping Iran’s nuclear program and “destroying the Middle East” are of greater importance.

The situation remains tense in the region, with both sides engaging in a cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation.

Source: Al Jazeera