Amid ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding a ceasefire, with the U.S. president's so-called "deadline" approaching, Israel has intensified airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure.
On the 7th, U.S. President Trump issued a threat to Iran via social media, stating, "Tonight, the entire civilization could vanish, never to return." He added, "I do not wish for this to happen, but it might," and indicated that answers would be revealed that night.
Also on the 7th, U.S. Vice President Vance visited Budapest, Hungary, and held a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Vance stated that the U.S. and Israel had achieved their military objectives in the conflict with Iran, and that the war would soon conclude, with corresponding negotiations to follow.
**Explosion at Kharg Island: Iran Warns "Restraint is Over"**
According to U.S. officials on the 7th, American forces attacked military targets on Kharg Island, a crucial hub for Iranian oil exports.
Earlier, multiple explosions were reported on Kharg Island.
On March 14, the U.S. Central Command stated that a large-scale strike had been conducted on Kharg Island the previous evening, successfully hitting over 90 military targets. U.S. forces destroyed Iranian naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and other military objectives, while reportedly "sparing" oil infrastructure. Kharg Island, located approximately 25 kilometers off the coast of Iran in the northwestern Persian Gulf, is Iran's largest crude oil export terminal, accounting for 90% of the country's oil exports. It is considered one of Iran's most sensitive and vulnerable targets, often referred to as the country's "oil heart" and economic lifeline.
On the 7th, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement warning neighboring countries that "restraint has ended," stating it would strike infrastructure belonging to the U.S. and its allies. The IRGC also threatened to cut off oil and gas supplies to the U.S. and its allies in the region in the coming years.
Following these developments, NYMEX WTI crude oil and ICE Brent crude prices experienced short-term gains. As of 21:28 Beijing time on April 7th, NYMEX WTI crude was up 2.65% at $115.39 per barrel, while ICE Brent crude rose 0.68% to $110.52 per barrel.
**Railway Bridges, Highway Bridges, and Power Lines Targeted**
The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement on the 7th claiming the completion of a large-scale attack inside Iran, targeting dozens of infrastructure sites across multiple regions.
According to Iranian media reports on the 7th, power supply was disrupted in parts of Karaj due to transmission lines being struck by artillery.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on the 7th that railways in the Karaj region had been attacked.
The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that U.S. and Israeli forces attacked a railway bridge in Kashan, resulting in two deaths and three injuries.
Also on the 7th, crisis management authorities in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province in the northwest stated that a bridge on the highway connecting Tabriz to Zanjan had been attacked by U.S. and Israeli forces. Local traffic police closed the affected section, and relevant departments were on-site handling the situation and conducting an investigation. Specific casualty figures have not yet been released by Iranian authorities.
**99th Wave of Strikes; Iran Reportedly Rejects "Temporary Truce"**
An Iranian source stated on the 7th that Iran has refused to agree to "any temporary ceasefire" with the United States.
The unnamed official said Iran has set "preconditions" for reaching a "lasting peace" agreement with the U.S., including the immediate cessation of attacks on Iran, a commitment to no further attacks, and compensation for Iranian losses. The official added that such a peace agreement should allow Iran to levy fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC released a statement today, April 7th, announcing that in the 99th wave of its "True Promise 4" operation, it struck U.S. bases and targets in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region, as well as military forces and command centers in the occupied Palestinian territories. The statement said that starting in the early hours of the day, the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force conducted joint operations using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and attack drones in response to attacks on the Assaluyeh petrochemical facility and related infrastructure. Reports indicate that a large petrochemical complex owned by a U.S. company in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and related petrochemical facilities in Juaymah were hit by medium-range missiles and drones. Additionally, a container ship allegedly linked to Israel and planning to transport military equipment via the UAE's Khor Fakkan port was struck.
The statement also mentioned that the U.S. aircraft carrier group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed in the Indian Ocean, was targeted by long-range cruise missiles. The IRGC warned that if the U.S. "crosses red lines," Iran's response would extend beyond the region. It stated that Iran would not proactively target civilian objectives but would retaliate against attacks on civilian infrastructure. The statement further declared that Iran has removed all limitations on potential targets.
Iranian military forces claimed attacks on power facilities and fuel depots near the Israeli city of Dimona, the U.S. naval maintenance center at Ali Sabah Port in the UAE, and radar systems and some structures at the Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait.
**UN Warns Trump: Attacking Iranian Civilian Infrastructure Could Constitute War Crime**
On April 7th, local time, a spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General stated that Secretary-General António Guterres had warned the Trump administration that, according to international law, attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure are prohibited.
Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that "even if specific civilian infrastructure can be considered a military objective," such attacks remain prohibited if they are likely to cause "excessive incidental civilian harm."
Dujarric indicated that if President Trump proceeds with his threat to strike power plants and bridges, international courts would determine whether such actions constitute war crimes.
However, during a White House press briefing on the afternoon of April 6th, local time, when questioned about whether deliberate U.S. attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law and if he was concerned about threats to bomb power plants and bridges constituting war crimes, President Trump repeatedly interrupted the reporter. He criticized the reporter's publication, The New York Times, calling it a "loser," and stated he was "not worried at all" because the objective was to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. He also claimed that Iranian people were asking him to continue bombing their areas, as they were willing to endure such suffering "for freedom."
**Qatari Foreign Ministry: Middle East Situation Nearing Breaking Point**
On April 7th, local time, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari stated that the current situation in the Middle East is approaching a critical point of being out of control.
Speaking at a regular foreign ministry press conference, Al-Ansari said that prolonged hostilities between relevant countries do not serve the fundamental interests of any party, and if the conflict continues to escalate, there will be no winners. He stated that the window for resolving the conflict through diplomatic means is narrowing and called on all parties to cease any actions that exacerbate the situation.
Al-Ansari also expressed Qatar's support for mediation efforts led by Pakistan but noted that Qatar is not currently involved in the process. He emphasized that any attacks targeting civilian and energy infrastructure are unacceptable. He further pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, and all regional countries have the right to free passage.
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