TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — The Iranian government has issued a scorching warning to its regional neighbors, threatening “relentless” strikes on vital infrastructure if any nation assists a suspected U.S.-led plan to occupy strategic Iranian islands.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, claimed Thursday that Tehran has obtained intelligence revealing a plot by “enemies of Iran” to seize a key island with the logistical support of an undisclosed regional state. Analysts in Tehran suggest the warning is pointed directly at the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“No Warning, Just Fire”
“Iranian forces are monitoring every movement,” Ghalibaf stated via social media, as reported by Al Jazeera. “Should they take a single step, we will strike strategic targets within that regional state with continuous and unyielding force.”
The rhetoric marks a sharp escalation as the Pentagon confirms the deployment of thousands of additional troops to the Persian Gulf. Approximately 2,000 soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, alongside two Marine contingents aboard amphibious assault ships, are reportedly moving into position.
White House: “Accept Defeat or Face Devastation”
The threats from Tehran come amid a confusing diplomatic backdrop. While President Donald Trump recently claimed Washington was engaged in productive talks with Iran, the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, struck a far more hawkish tone.
“If Iran fails to accept the reality that they have been defeated militarily, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” Leavitt told reporters. “The President is not bluffing; he is prepared to launch a devastating offensive.”
Strategic Choke Points: Kharg Island and Bab al-Mandeb
Military sources cited by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency indicate that Iran is specifically bracing for an assault on Kharg Island, a critical hub for the nation’s oil exports.
In a move that could internationalize the conflict further, Tehran hinted at opening a “second front” at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—the strategic waterway between Yemen and Djibouti. Iranian officials suggested that their allies, including the Houthi movement in Yemen, are prepared to create a “credible threat” to global shipping lanes should U.S. aggression continue.
