Iran Threatens Global Retaliatory Attacks as Gulf Tensions Escalate

Iran has threatened to expand retaliatory attacks targeting its enemies to tourist and recreational sites worldwide.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s chief military spokesperson General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that parks, entertainment areas, and tourist destinations would no longer be safe for Iran’s adversaries.

The threat has raised global concern, with fears that Iran could carry out “asymmetric” (guerrilla-style) attacks beyond the Middle East to increase pressure. The escalation comes after Israel bombed Iran’s massive South Pars offshore natural gas field earlier this week, prompting Iran to intensify attacks on energy facilities in Gulf countries.

Al Jazeera reported that early Friday morning, Iran carried out two rounds of drone strikes on Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery, causing a massive fire. The refinery, with a capacity of 730,000 barrels per day, is one of the largest in the Middle East.

Oil Shortage and Response to the US

Meanwhile, Iran responded strongly after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that Washington might ease sanctions on Iranian oil at sea. Iranian Oil Ministry spokesperson Saman Ghoddousi said, “Iran currently has no surplus crude oil available for international markets. The US statement is merely intended to give hope to buyers.”

Warning to the UAE

Iran has also issued a strong warning to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It warned that if Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf are attacked again using UAE territory, Iran would launch a “destructive strike” on the city of Ras Al Khaimah.

These strategically important islands lie near the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas is transported. Earlier this month, the UAE claimed to have intercepted a drone in the Al Hamra area of Ras Al Khaimah.

Rising tensions between Israel and Iran are now posing serious challenges to the security of the Gulf region and the wider world.