Iran has stated that if its energy targets are attacked, it will respond by destroying all US-associated facilities in the region. On March 13 local time, US President Donald Trump claimed that military action against Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub had "completely destroyed" all military targets on the island but spared its oil infrastructure. He added that if Iran or any other party took action to disrupt the safe and free passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, he would immediately reconsider this decision.
On March 14 local time, a spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Iran's Armed Forces, Khatam al-Anbiya, warned that if Iran's oil, economic, or energy infrastructure comes under attack, all oil, economic, and energy facilities linked to the United States will be destroyed. The spokesperson stated, "In response to the aggressive and terrorist rhetoric of the United States, we declare that if Iran's oil, economic, and energy infrastructure is attacked, as we have previously warned, all oil, economic, and energy facilities of oil companies in the region that cooperate with or hold US shares will be immediately destroyed and reduced to ashes."
A retired US military officer warned that the US attack on Iran’s Kharg Island could lead to "uncontrollable" oil prices. On March 13 local time, the former officer noted in an interview that the US strike had heightened the risks of war and could ultimately cause oil prices to spiral out of control. Former US Army Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt remarked, "This means we have significantly raised the stakes in this conflict. The conflict is no longer limited to 'destroying military capabilities and overthrowing the regime' but has potentially evolved into an attempt to sever the country’s economic lifeline." Kimmitt pointed out that the US is using the island as a "hostage" to ensure Iran allows vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. A blockade of the strait alone could cause crude oil prices to surge. He warned that if these oil facilities are targeted, Iran "will retaliate by attacking the remaining infrastructure across the Middle East," leading to oil prices becoming completely uncontrollable.
Kharg Island is a critical hub for Iran's oil exports. Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that if the US and Israel attack any of Iran's islands in the Persian Gulf, Iran will "abandon all restraint."
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