Iran said Thursday it would destroy “all” regional infrastructure if President Donald Trump followed through on his threats to attack Iranian power plants and bridges, as US military forces expanded their range of strikes within Iran.
Tehran’s response would be “more severe, wider and more destructive than ever,” military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said, according to a statement carried by state media. Mr Zolfaghari also said Iran would not allow the United States or another foreign power to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz, which he called “an unbreakable red line.”
The escalating rhetoric from both sides – Mr Trump said earlier this week that Iran would be hit “very hard” if it did not return to the negotiating table – comes as analysts say the nations are at an impasse over the failed memorandum of understanding that they signed last month.
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With the two sides unable to agree on its terms or a path forward, both are trying to use military might to force the other’s hand.
The US military said it conducted strikes overnight, hitting “air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities and coastal surveillance facilities” in multiple locations.
Iranian state media reported that strikes hit around Tehran, in addition to a number of provinces farther north than in recent days.
Donald Trump insists Iran will be “defeated soon”, despite neither side showing any signs of trying to end the war.
Iran’s state broadcaster and a Health Ministry official reported late Wednesday that the city’s Shahid Baghaei Hospital, which treats cancer patients, was evacuated after US projectiles struck the surrounding area. Iran’s Health Ministry told The Washington Post that there were no deaths as a result of the strike.
More than 30 civilians have been killed and 260 wounded in US attacks over the past week, Iranian officials said. The Health Ministry said that seven Iranian soldiers were killed Wednesday when the US fired 13 missiles at an Iranian military base in the southeast.
Iran, in a familiar cycle, responded with a wave of strikes against US military targets in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Jordan’s military said that it had shot down eight Iranian missiles and that there had been no casualties or damage. Iran said it was targeting radar and communications systems used by the US
Bahrain’s government also reported Thursday that sirens alerting incoming attacks were sounding and warned residents to head to a safe place. Bahrain is home to a massive US naval base that has been hit repeatedly since the war began.
Kuwait’s military said in a statement that it was confronting attacks by “hostile drones” and condemned “the sinful Iranian aggression.”
