Iran Warns of Retaliation Against US Energy Facilities Amid Regional Tensions
Iran’s Foreign Minister has stated that if the country’s energy facilities are targeted, American company installations in the region will be retaliated against. He also announced Tehran’s readiness to form a regional investigation committee concerning the attacked targets.
In an interview with the newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran is prepared, in cooperation with regional countries, to establish a joint committee to examine the targets struck in recent attacks. According to him, Iran’s attacks have only targeted US bases and interests in the region, and no civilian or residential areas have been hit.
Araghchi further claimed that the American-made “Lukas” drone bears a striking resemblance to Iran’s “Shahed” drone and is used to attack targets in some Arab countries. He also suggested that Israel might be behind certain attacks on civilian targets in Arab countries, which, according to him, could be aimed at damaging the relations between those countries and Iran.
Referring to Khark Island, the Iranian foreign minister said that occupying the island would be a graver mistake than attacking it. Regarding the end of the war, he emphasized that any conclusion to the conflict must come with guarantees against recurrence and compensation.
He also highlighted ongoing diplomatic contacts between Iran and Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other neighboring countries, stating that Tehran welcomes any regional initiative that leads to a “just” end to the war, although he noted that no concrete plan has yet been presented.
On the domestic situation in Iran, Araghchi said the country is stable with no rift between governmental and military institutions. He added that the Supreme Leader is in full health and continues to oversee the management of affairs.
Concluding, he referred to the strategic position of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that this maritime passage is open to all countries except American vessels and their allies.
