3 weeks ago
Iran Warns of Gulf 'Blackout' if US Attacks Power Plants
Iran told its Gulf neighbours that if America attacked Iran's power plants, Iran would turn off electricity across the whole region.
Iran said it could also hit plants that make clean drinking water, which Gulf countries depend on because they are mostly desert.
The warning was passed through secret messengers and included a long list of targets, officials said.
This happened after US President Donald Trump threatened a huge attack on Iran, which he said would have been the biggest since World War II.
Trump then decided not to attack, saying Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar had asked him to stop.
After that, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman spoke with Trump in a call to ease tensions.
Earlier, Trump had threatened to destroy an Iranian power plant or bridge for every attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran replied that it would answer 'eye for an eye.'
There have been many attacks in the Gulf, and they got worse after a ceasefire fell apart in July, with Kuwait and Bahrain being hit the most.
Iran warned it would 'black out' the Gulf, country by country, if the US attacked its power plants, two anonymous Gulf officials told AFP.
The warning was relayed through intermediaries and included 'a long list of targets,' including power plants and water desalination facilities in Gulf countries.
US President Donald Trump called off planned strikes over the weekend, citing requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar and hopes for progress in talks.
Trump said the planned strikes would have been 'the biggest attack since World War II' and had repeatedly threatened Iranian energy infrastructure.
Exchanges of fire intensified after the ceasefire collapsed in July, with Kuwait and Bahrain emerging as the main targets.
- Who
- Iran (Tehran), US President Donald Trump, and Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
- What
- Iran warned it would 'black out' the Gulf, country by country, striking power plants and water desalination facilities if the US attacked Iranian power plants.
- Where
- West Asia, particularly the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- The warning came last week; Trump called off planned US strikes over the weekend, after the regional ceasefire collapsed in July.
- Why
- In retaliation for threatened US strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure amid tensions over attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Position
US and Gulf States' Position
Retaliation vs De-escalation
Iran's Position
Iran warned of an 'eye for an eye' response, threatening to black out the Gulf and strike power plants and water desalination facilities if the US attacked its energy infrastructure.
US and Gulf States' Position
The US called off planned strikes citing requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman spoke with Trump to ease regional tensions.
Responsibility for Gulf Attacks
Iran's Position
Iran frames its retaliation as a response to US threats, including Trump's warning to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US and Gulf States' Position
Gulf officials say the region has faced the brunt of Iranian attacks during the Middle East war, with strikes targeting US assets as well as civilian infrastructure including energy sites, ports and airports.
Key facts
- Threat
- Iran warned it would 'black out' the Gulf, country by country, if the US attacked its power plants
- Targets
- Power plants and water desalination facilities in Gulf countries
- Source
- Two anonymous Gulf officials speaking to AFP
- US strikes
- Planned by President Trump; called off citing requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar
- Trump's description
- 'The biggest attack since World War II'
- Prior warning
- Trump had threatened to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
- Ceasefire status
- April ceasefire and June memorandum of understanding collapsed in July; Kuwait and Bahrain became main targets
- Diplomacy
- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman spoke with Trump in a call aimed at easing tensions
Quotes
Gulf official
Unnamed Gulf government representative
“"Iran threatened to black out the Gulf, country by country, if Trump attacked its power plants."”
NDTV
freepressjournal.in
U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump, referring to planned Iranian infrastructure strikes.
“"The proposed strikes would have been the biggest attack since World War II."”
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