IRIA News

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Iran has issued a stark warning that it could target power plants and critical infrastructure across the Middle East if the U.S. attacks its power plants.

The tensions escalated further as a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Strait of Hormuz approaches.

On March 23, 2026, Iranian state television broadcast a statement from the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, declaring: “Do not doubt that we will do this.”

The warning came in response to a U.S. ultimatum demanding that Iran reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face major strikes on its own energy infrastructure.

Iran said it would retaliate if its power plants were attacked. “What we have done is to announce our decision that if the power plants are attacked, Iran will retaliate by targeting the power plants of the occupying regime,” the statament said.

Iran also warned that it would attack the “power plants of regional countries that supply electricity to U.S. bases, as well as the economic, industrial, and energy infrastructures in which Americans have shares”.

🚨 “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST…” – President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/htLz1A0Mf7

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 22, 2026

Strait of Hormuz Closed

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, has become the center of a growing international energy crisis.

Although Iran insists the strait remains open, shipping traffic has dropped dramatically. Tanker movements have fallen from around 100 transits per week to just a handful, with most commercial vessels avoiding the area due to security risks.

Iran maintains that the route is “open to all except enemies,” but in practice, only a limited number of ships from countries it considers friendly have been allowed to pass.

The disruption has triggered a sharp rise in global energy prices, with European gas costs reportedly surging by as much as 35% in recent days.

The strait is responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, making any disruption highly significant for global markets.

Threats of Wider Attacks

Iranian officials have expanded their warnings beyond energy facilities. Military and political leaders have said that any attack on Iran’s infrastructure could lead to strikes on a broad range of targets across the region.

These include energy networks, desalination plants, and information technology systems, facilities that millions of civilians rely on daily.

A senior Iranian official warned that such infrastructure could be “irreversibly destroyed” if the U.S. follows through on its threat. Another military statement said Iran would target “all energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure” linked to U.S. and Israeli interests in the region.

Tehran also warned that if its power plants are hit, the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely closed, and will not be reopened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt.”

On the U.S. side, military officials say operations are progressing as planned. A senior U.S. commander described the campaign as “ahead or on plan,” noting that strikes are targeting not only current threats but also future capabilities.

“We’re also going after the manufacturing,” he said. “So it’s not just about the threat today. We’re eliminating the threat of the future, both in terms of the drones and the missiles, as well as the navy.”

He also warned civilians in the region to remain cautious, stating: “They’re launching missiles and drones from populated areas, and you need to stay inside for right now.”

Israel has also intensified its operations, launching what it described as a “wide-scale wave of strikes” targeting Iranian infrastructure. Israeli leaders say their objectives include weakening Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities, as well as limiting its regional influence.

Escalating Violence and Civilian Risks

The conflict, now in its fourth week, continues to expand across multiple fronts. Airstrikes and missile attacks have been reported in Iran, Israel, and several neighboring countries.

In southern Israel, Iranian missile strikes have injured dozens of people and caused significant damage in multiple cities. Some of the attacks have penetrated air defense systems, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in key areas.

Meanwhile, Iran has reported damage to civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, with evacuations carried out following airstrikes.

The broader regional impact is also growing. Missile and drone attacks have been reported in countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, while fighting has intensified in southern Lebanon.

The conflict has already resulted in more than 2,000 deaths since it began, with civilians increasingly at risk as both sides expand their target lists. International organizations have raised an alarm over the potential consequences of targeting critical infrastructure.

Global leaders are urging restraint, but diplomatic efforts have so far failed to reduce tensions. The situation remains highly volatile, with the next steps likely to depend on whether Iran complies with the U.S. demand to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Rights groups have warned that attacks on essential services such as electricity, water, and heating systems could violate international law. Such strikes risk causing “vast, predictable, and devastating civilian harm.”

Health officials have also cautioned against attacks near nuclear facilities, warning of serious environmental and public health risks.

Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, head of the UK-based economic think tank Bourse & Bazaar Foundation, warned that U.S. strikes on Iran’s critical infrastructure might shorten the war but could be far more devastating for the region and global economy. He noted that Iran had nearly 500 power plants, compared to 50 in Israel. Iran’s largest facility, the Damavand Combined Cycle plant, contributes only about 4% of the country’s total capacity, whereas Israel’s Orot Rabin plant supplies roughly a fifth of the nation’s electricity.

“If Trump hits a major power plant, Iran will respond by hitting utilities in the Gulf states and Israel – including power plants and desalination facilities – and will count on the fact that it has to hit fewer targets to have a bigger impact,” he explained in a social media post.

Situation Remains Uncertain

With the U.S. deadline set to expire, the region faces a critical moment. Analysts warn that further escalation could trigger broader economic and military consequences, including deeper disruptions to global energy supplies.

Markets are already reacting to the uncertainty, with fears of a major economic shock if the crisis intensifies.

As both sides continue to exchange threats and expand military operations, the risk of a wider regional conflict is growing, one that could have far-reaching implications well beyond the Middle East.

Iran is making fun of Trump in military press conferences.

“Hey Trump, YOU’RE FIRED!”

The American Military is a paper tiger pic.twitter.com/qQq6BYFBz8

— Ethan Levins 🇺🇸 (@EthanLevins2) March 22, 2026