TEHRAN – Iran’s response to President Donald Trump’s ultimatum threatening its energy infrastructure has highlighted Tehran’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and impose serious costs on any aggressor. Trump’s post on Truth Social warned that if Iran did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, “the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first.”
Iran condemned the threat, with Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesman for the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters, reiterating that “if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy infrastructure, as well as information technology (IT) and water desalination facilities belonging to the United States and the regime in the region will be targeted pursuant to previous warnings.”
Analysts note that this statement signals Tehran’s capability and willingness to strike vulnerable energy and electricity infrastructure in Israel, as well as in Persian Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases. Israeli power plants, in particular, are considered highly vulnerable and could be primary targets in Iran’s retaliation, reflecting Tehran’s credible deterrent posture: any attack on its vital energy assets would not go unanswered.
Iran’s integrated military posture combines long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, advanced unmanned aerial systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, giving Tehran the tools to threaten critical energy and strategic targets affiliated with the U.S. and Israel across the Persian Gulf.
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz, the regional resistance has demonstrated its ability to influence the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Observers note that regional resistance could disrupt energy flows through Bab al-Mandab, amplifying Tehran’s strategic leverage.
The Islamic Republic’s retaliation is not hypothetical. In response to U.S.–Israeli strikes on the South Pars gas field, Iran conducted precise missile and drone operations against enemy positions, demonstrating operational readiness and the ability to respond proportionally to attacks on national infrastructure. Analysts say this underscores Tehran’s doctrine of deterrence through credible capability, highlighting that Iran can target key energy sites vital to hostile regional actors while maintaining strategic control.
Since the outbreak of joint U.S.–Israeli aggression on February 28, Iran’s missile and drone strikes have targeted U.S. positions in the Persian Gulf and strategic installations in Israel, showcasing Tehran’s integrated approach and the regional reach of its deterrent.
At the center of the confrontation is the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass daily. Iran has emphasized that the strait remains open to international shipping, except for vessels from nations deemed hostile, particularly the United States and Israel. Tehran’s representative to the International Maritime Organization, Ali Mousavi, reaffirmed that passage is possible when safety and security are coordinated with Iran, highlighting Tehran’s balance of national security with commercial interests.
Analysts warn that any attack on Iranian energy infrastructure could trigger swift retaliation, disrupt global energy markets, and drive oil prices higher. Iran’s warnings demonstrate not only the serious risks of escalation but also its ability to impose tangible costs on aggressors while defending sovereignty. The combination of precision strikes, strategic targeting of energy infrastructure—including highly vulnerable Israeli power plants—and influence over key maritime chokepoints, including Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, illustrates Tehran’s comprehensive deterrence posture and underscores its readiness to respond decisively to threats while supporting regional resistance movements.
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