Iran threatens Gulf airports and oil pipelines if Washington resumes attacks

Iran has warned publicly and through back channels that any new U.S.-Israeli strikes will be met with attacks extending beyond American bases and ships to civilian and economic targets in Gulf states, including airports and pipelines, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Iran has warned that any resumption of U.S.-Israeli strikes against it would be met with broader attacks extending beyond American military bases and ships to civilian and economic targets in neighboring Gulf states, including airports, oil and gas pipelines, and communications infrastructure, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The reports said Tehran issued the warnings publicly and through back-channel diplomatic channels to deter Washington from resuming the attacks. Iran also threatened to target U.S. personnel more aggressively, including warship crews. An official with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that Iran could cut undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz.

صورة بالأقمار الصناعية لمنشأة خريص لمعالجة النفط في السعودية

Analysts believe Iran still has large stockpiles of missiles and drones despite the extensive damage to its industrial base and is capable of inflicting serious damage on the region’s energy and internet infrastructure. However, doing so would expose its fragile economy and facilities to retaliation.

The threats come as negotiations to end the conflict stall and the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports continues. Reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering resuming the strikes after the midterm elections on November 3. A third U.S. aircraft carrier group is heading to the region, while Washington has ordered its nonessential diplomatic personnel to leave Saudi Arabia.