Iran launched fresh attacks towards Israel and Gulf countries on Monday, warning of “devastating” reprisals if Donald Trump followed through on his threats, more than a month after the start of the Middle East war that has left thousands dead and shaken the global economy. Tehran struck with missiles and drones at Israel, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.
In Israel, firefighters found two people dead under the rubble of a building hit by an Iranian missile the day before in Haifa, in the northern part of the country. Two other people are reported missing.
The Israeli army, on the other hand, announced a new series of strikes against Tehran. A gas facility in the Iranian capital was damaged by a strike, depriving part of the city of gas. The adjacent university also suffered damage.
According to Iranian media, several attacks also targeted residential areas in Tehran, where eight hospitals had to be evacuated. Tasnim news agency reported five deaths in a strike on a residential area in Qom.
Following Donald Trump’s threats to target new civilian infrastructure, an Iranian foreign affairs official denounced possible “war crimes.” If attacks on civilian targets continue, the spokesperson for the Iranian military command warned that the next phases of their offensive operations and reprisals would be even more devastating.
The conflict, triggered on February 28 by a joint attack by the United States and Israel against Iran, shows no signs of de-escalation, with consecutive strikes and mutual threats. Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday at 8 p.m. local time.
President Trump scheduled a press conference at the White House on Monday at 1 p.m. Washington time to address the rescue operation of an American aviator in Iran. He also mentioned the possibility of a ceasefire agreement with Tehran amid escalating tensions.
With military targets allegedly hit, Trump now threatens to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Iran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil supply.
The warlike rhetoric has unsettled oil investors, with both Brent and WTI crude oil prices hovering around $110 per barrel on Monday.
