Iranian Government Announces “Heavy Damages” to Water and Energy Infrastructure
Iran’s water and energy infrastructure has “suffered heavy damages” following American-Israeli strikes, said Iran’s Energy Minister in Tehran.
“The attacks targeted dozens of water transmission and treatment facilities and destroyed parts of critical supply networks,” he said, adding that efforts were underway to repair the damages.
According to Iran’s Red Crescent chief, Pirhossein Kolivand, the total number of damaged civilian sites – including residential and commercial buildings, schools, medical centers, and vehicles – stands at 81,365, based on “latest field assessments.”
Iran Threatens to Fully Close Strait of Hormuz in Response to American Strikes on Power Plants
Iran asserted it would fully close the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic oil supply route, if Washington follows through on its threat to target Iranian power plants.
If U.S. threats are carried out, the strait “will be completely closed and will not reopen until we have rebuilt our destroyed power plants,” stated the Khatam al-Anbiya joint armed forces command center in a state TV broadcast.
If Iran blocks the strait, where cargo shipments have dropped by 95% since early March, a few ships and tankers have still managed to pass through.
North Macedonia Reduces VAT to Control Fuel Prices at Pump
North Macedonia announced a nearly 50% reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on fuels to curb pump price increases due to the Middle East conflict.
The VAT on gasoline and diesel will be lowered from 18 to 10%, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski after a government meeting on the issue.
This measure, effective from midnight tomorrow and lasting two weeks, should maintain the price of gasoline stable while diesel would increase by about three to three and a half denars (0.04 to 0.05 euros) per liter, he noted.
