Iran warns against ‘fire of war’ amid US strike threats on energy sites

Iran's military authorities have issued explicit warnings of retaliation in response to threatened attacks by the United States and Israel against critical energy infrastructure. Major General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran's wartime military command, stated on Saturday that the United States is accelerating efforts to ignite a full-scale regional conflict. He addressed neighboring countries, asserting that the US leverages their capital, resources, and infrastructure to advance American interests while strengthening Israel's military capabilities.

Abdollahi's statement included a direct warning to regional nations, urging them to carefully monitor American actions and reconsider their alignment with the United States. He cautioned that any country positioning itself as a defensive shield for what he characterized as criminal American aggression would face consequences in the resulting regional conflict. The warning emerged in response to reports from major US media outlets suggesting that the US and Israel may be preparing an extensive campaign of attacks against Iran's civilian infrastructure, including power generation facilities and petrochemical manufacturing plants.

According to reports citing unnamed sources, President Donald Trump has not yet granted final authorization for an operation potentially lasting up to two weeks, designed to disable electricity across Tehran and create widespread disruptions throughout the country. The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies noted earlier in the week that while US air defenses have performed adequately, sustained combat operations have depleted the inventory of missile interceptors available to the US military, with Patriot systems now numbering under 1,000 units and THAAD systems at approximately 250 units.

Iranian state-linked media reported that armed forces have prepared a comprehensive retaliation plan targeting vital infrastructure connected to the United States and Israel in response to what officials characterized as potential American military action. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Tuesday that Israel strongly desires to strike Iran's energy targets, but acknowledged that the United States currently opposes such action due to concerns that Iranian retaliation could affect neighboring countries and trigger a global oil crisis. Katz indicated Israel's readiness to inflict damage that would set Iran back decades.

Since February 28, the US and Israel have conducted military strikes against Iranian military installations and leadership positions, while also targeting civilian infrastructure requiring years and substantial investment to repair. These bombing campaigns have compounded Iran's existing economic challenges, including a contracting economy and significant energy imbalance affecting more than 90 million Iranians. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran's regular military have responded with retaliatory strikes across the region.