Iranian media publish target maps in 8 countries amid attack fears

Iranian media published maps identifying ports, airports, power and desalination plants, hotels and shopping centers in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan as potential targets, as Tehran says its military doctrine has shifted toward offensive action.

Iranian media outlets close to the security agencies published maps dubbed “Zero Hour,” identifying facilities in eight countries that they said could become Iranian targets if the United States or Israel attacks Iran again. The maps cover Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan.

Ports, airports and hotels on the list

Arabic media outlets, including RT Arabic and Masrawy, said the list includes ports, airports, power-generation plants, water desalination and treatment facilities, and undersea cables, as well as hotels and shopping centers. The maps were published in a video on the evening of October 31, without identifying every site by name in each country.

The maps were published amid reports that Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei had met senior military commanders and issued instructions to prepare for a possible new confrontation, as well as U.S. warnings of possible strikes after the November 3 midterm elections.

Members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during a military parade

From defense to offense

The maps coincide with statements by Iranian military officials that the country's military doctrine has shifted from defense to offense. Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akrami-Nia, a spokesman for Iran's army, told the Mehr news agency that the army was moving “from defensive positions to adopting offensive positions” in pursuit of “full deterrence.” In October, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had adopted an “offensive and asymmetric” defensive doctrine.

The Middle East newspaper reported that Khamenei called, during changes in the leadership of the armed forces, for “strengthening maximum deterrence and preparing to carry out extensive offensive operations against the enemy.” Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned this week that Iran's continued membership in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was “not guaranteed” if a new war broke out.

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms