Iran warns region and beyond as tension builds ahead of US ultimatum

Trump has threatened to step up the US-Israeli war on Iran by destroying every bridge and power plant in the country.Iran has issued threats and directed attacks against its neighbours as it eyes a United States threat to its civilian infrastructure.Tehran said late on Tuesday that it will add energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to its list of potential targets if Iran’s infrastructure is attacked, the Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a military source.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Trump threatens Iran: ‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’list 2 of 3Why JD Vance joined Pakistan’s last-ditch US-Iran mediation effortslist 3 of 3‘No end in sight’ if Trump acts on threat to destroy Iran infrastructureend of listThe remarks came after US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy “a whole civilisation” should Iran fail to comply with his ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz by 00:00 GMT (3:30am on Wednesday in Tehran).The blockade of Gulf oil through the strategic waterway has shaken the global economy. Trump has threatened to step up the war on Iran, which the US is conducting alongside Israel, by destroying every bridge and power plant in the country.First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Iran was prepared for all possibilities.“National security and infrastructure sustainability are the subject of our precise calculations. The government has finalised the necessary measures in detail for all scenarios. No threat is beyond our preparedness and intelligence,” Aref said in a post on X.As the clock ticked down, strikes on Iran intensified, hitting railway and road bridges, an airport and a petrochemical plant. US forces also attacked targets on Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal.Gulf on alertThe Gulf states have been on edge as Iran has conducted intermittent attacks against US bases and infrastructure in the region since the war began last month.