- Iran has announced its intention to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and carry out retaliatory strikes on the energy and water infrastructure of the region if the US attacks Iranian power plants.
- Israeli military forces destroyed the Qasimiya bridge in southern Lebanon, which President Joseph Aoun described as "a harbinger of a ground invasion."
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims that the threat of attacking power plants serves to deter US attacks.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied reports that Tehran allegedly intends to destroy desalination plants in the Persian Gulf.
“We have made a decision: if our power plants are attacked, Iran will respond by attacking the power plants of the occupying regime [of Israel] and those power plants that supply electricity to American bases. The economic and energy infrastructure involving American companies will also be targeted,” IRGC representatives stated.
“You attacked our hospital — we did not do that. You attacked our schools — we did not do that. But if you cut off the electricity, we will cut off the electricity too,” they added.
The IRGC noted that it will respond to any threats in a similar manner to prevent further attacks.
“We are ready to respond to any threat with the same force with which it was directed, and this will be done. America does not know our capabilities and will see them on the battlefield,” the statement claimed.
Amid threats from US President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders, Asian stock markets plummeted sharply, which could lead to a protracted war and the closure of the key Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil supplies pass.
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong fell by 3.3% to 24,435.74 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index dropped by 2.3% to 3,867.51 points.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index also lost 2.1%, reaching 4,884.710 points at 04:00 GMT on Monday. The Philippine Stock Exchange fell by 3.17%, and the Thai Stock Exchange by 2.15%.
Earlier, it was reported that the Nikkei index in Tokyo decreased by 3.4-3.5% to 51,582.23.
NATO Secretary General is studying the possibility of Iranian missile strikes on European cities, CBS News reports.
According to Mark Rutte, the alliance is "studying" whether Iran has missiles capable of reaching cities like Berlin, Rome, and Paris.
“We know that they are on the verge of this,” Rutte said in an interview with CBS News.
The NATO chief added that European countries are "uniting" to ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump previously warned the FT that NATO expects a "very bad" future if US allies do not assist in opening this crucial maritime route.
Rutte noted that the US failed to inform European allies in advance about the plans for the attack, which required "several weeks to coordinate actions."
Concerns are rising in Israel after Iranian missile strikes on Arad and Dimona.
By: Rob McBride
Reporting from Amman, Jordan.
Israeli authorities have launched an investigation into the missile strikes that occurred on Sunday.
Official statements emphasize that despite an advanced defense system, some missiles can still break through. Israel has a multi-layered missile defense system that has been developed over many years.
Authorities claim they are able to intercept over 90% of missiles but acknowledge that the strikes on Dimona, where nuclear facilities are located, have caused particular concern.
Iranians perceived these strikes as a success and are using them for propaganda purposes, claiming that this is a harbinger of upcoming events and that they have managed to bypass the Israeli missile defense system.
However, in Israel, this is met with a certain skepticism.
Iran is changing tactics: they are now using cluster warheads that scatter smaller bombs over a large area, making them harder to intercept. Instead of launching large waves of missiles, Iran is conducting more frequent but smaller-scale attacks, causing panic among the civilian population and forcing people to seek shelter.
Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia accused Trump of "sending our sons and daughters to war" due to his inability to accept defeat in the 2020 elections.
Kaine referred to a Just The News article stating that Iran attempted to interfere in the 2020 and 2024 elections to hinder Trump.
“Are Republicans in Congress okay with this?” he asked.
Kaine also warned against deploying ground troops in Iran, stating that this could make "Trump's unnecessary and reckless war even worse."
Kaine is among the senior members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which oversees the country's foreign policy and military operations. He was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 2016 alongside Hillary Clinton.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Walz supported Trump's threat to attack Iranian energy infrastructure — NYT.
In interviews with Fox News and CBS News, he stated that Iranian gas power plants are legitimate targets, claiming that much of the country's energy infrastructure is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“The President is not joking,” Walz stated on Fox. “He stands by his red lines and will not allow this genocidal regime to hold the world's energy supplies and economy hostage.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commented on rising energy prices and European energy dependence on gas after the EU summit on platform X:
The rest of Europe, unlike Sweden, has long used gas for electricity production. This immediately affects electricity prices.
Since this is the most expensive energy source, the price of electricity rises sharply in countries that are forced to use gas for production, such as Italy. But the price also rises for those who need gas turbines in low-temperature or windless conditions, such as in Germany.
In Sweden, we use much less gas than many other countries and produce electricity from hydro, nuclear, and wind energy. This allows us not to worry too much about gas prices.
However, when it is cold and windless in southern Sweden, we have to import electricity from Germany and Poland, and then it is produced based on gas, making it expensive.
I see the obvious conclusion: we need to make Sweden completely independent of gas prices! We must manage our own electricity production without using fossil fuels for both current needs and future electrification of cars and industry.
Sweden should not depend on Russia or Middle Eastern countries regarding electricity prices. We need more nuclear energy and local thermal power plants, although it takes time before they start operating. Therefore, right now we are again dependent, but this time on gas that we do not use for production ourselves.
I support wind and solar energy, but without stable, carbon-free baseload power that works even without wind, we will depend on gas prices. I think more and more countries are beginning to realize this.
A fully independent and carbon-free energy system will become an important competitive advantage for Sweden in the future. We have some of the lowest electricity prices in the EU, the highest share of carbon-free energy, and therefore the lowest greenhouse gas emissions.
The entire EU must increase its own energy production without fossil fuels and become less dependent on imports.
Since this is the most expensive energy source, the price of electricity rises sharply in countries that are forced to use gas for production, such as Italy. But the price also rises for those who need gas turbines in low-temperature or windless conditions, such as in Germany.
In Sweden, we use much less gas than many other countries and produce electricity from hydro, nuclear, and wind energy. This allows us not to worry too much about gas prices.
However, when it is cold and windless in southern Sweden, we have to import electricity from Germany and Poland, and then it is produced based on gas, making it expensive.
I see the obvious conclusion: we need to make Sweden completely independent of gas prices! We must manage our own electricity production without using fossil fuels for both current needs and future electrification of cars and industry.
Sweden should not depend on Russia or Middle Eastern countries regarding electricity prices. We need more nuclear energy and local thermal power plants, although it takes time before they start operating. Therefore, right now we are again dependent, but this time on gas that we do not use for production ourselves.
I support wind and solar energy, but without stable, carbon-free baseload power that works even without wind, we will depend on gas prices. I think more and more countries are beginning to realize this.
A fully independent and carbon-free energy system will become an important competitive advantage for Sweden in the future. We have some of the lowest electricity prices in the EU, the highest share of carbon-free energy, and therefore the lowest greenhouse gas emissions.
The entire EU must increase its own energy production without fossil fuels and become less dependent on imports.
The head of the International Energy Agency stated that there is a serious threat to the global economy.
IEA Director Fatih Birol provided more detailed information.
At a press conference in Canberra, he compared the current energy crisis to the crises of the 1970s and the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Today's crisis is simultaneously two oil crises and one gas market crash,” Birol noted.
“The global economy faces a serious threat, and I hope the problem will be resolved as quickly as possible. No country will be spared the consequences if the crisis continues to develop,” he added.
Birol also reported that at least 40 energy facilities in the region have been "seriously or very seriously damaged" due to the conflict, and that the IEA is consulting with the governments of Asian and European countries regarding the release of additional oil reserves.
Earlier, IEA member countries agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to combat the sharp rise in global oil prices.
“If necessary, we will do it. We will examine the conditions, conduct an analysis, and discuss the situation with our member countries,” he concluded.
Gulf countries warn the US of risks in case of an attack on Iranian power plants — WSJ.
According to sources, US allies in the Middle East are confident that Iran's retaliatory measures could threaten their energy and water facilities, as well as the entire global economy.
Representatives from several Gulf countries expressed dissatisfaction that they have no influence over the decisions of the US administration.
Additionally, numerous attempts by Arab officials to initiate peace talks with Iran and the US have been unsuccessful.
Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense reported that the country's air defense systems intercepted one missile, while another fell in an open area.
Another drone was also intercepted in the Eastern Province.
Tehran intends to monetize control over the Strait of Hormuz — CNN.
According to an Iranian source, Tehran is advancing in monetizing control over the Strait of Hormuz by setting conditions for the passage of vessels through this vital waterway.
“We will continue... to establish a new legal regime in the Strait of Hormuz,” the source stated, mentioning possible payments of around $2 million for each tanker.
Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ghalibaf threatened to attack not only US bases but also financial centers:
“In addition to military facilities, legitimate targets are the financial structures that fund the US military budget. US bonds are soaked in the blood of Iranians. By purchasing them, you ensure a strike on your headquarters and assets. We are monitoring your investments. This is your last warning,” he said.
“Hey, Trump, you’re fired! You know this phrase. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” said IRGC representative Zolfaghari, addressing Trump in English.
A senior Democratic Party member calls for an end to the war against Iran.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, called for an end to the US military operation against Iran.
“Enough! Stop this war!” Schumer wrote in a statement posted on X.
“Even some Republicans in Congress acknowledge that they do not understand what the administration is trying to achieve in the Middle East,” added the senator from New York.
In an earlier post on X, Schumer also noted that tens of billions of dollars are "being wasted" on waging war against Iran, resulting in the price of gasoline averaging "$3.94 per gallon."
Iranian filmmaker condemns the "silence" of Islamic scholars.
Majid Majidi, an Oscar-nominated Iranian filmmaker, harshly criticized Islamic scholars, especially professors from Egypt's Al-Azhar University, for their "silence" regarding the war between Israel and the US against Iran.
In a statement aired on Iranian television Press TV, Majidi reproached the scholars for "neglecting their duty" to speak out against the persecution of Muslims from Gaza to Iran.
“I feel disappointment and anger towards the scholars and professors of Al-Azhar University, who were once the center of Sunni Islam and promoted unity among Muslims,” he said.
“How can they watch the aggression and bloodshed by the Israeli regime and remain silent?” the director questions.
“How can they remain indifferent to the brutal attacks by US authorities, witnessing the mass killings of defenseless people?” he adds.
Majidi is the director of the film "Children of Heaven," which was nominated for an Oscar.
Al-Azhar is considered one of the most authoritative institutions in the Sunni Islamic world.
Intense missile attacks from Iran raise alarms in Israel.
By: Rob McBride
Reporting from Amman, Jordan.
Reports indicate that Israel has been subjected to intense missile attacks, presumably from Iran.
Numerous warnings have been issued, primarily in Jerusalem and central Israel, urging people to seek shelter due to incoming Iranian missiles.
Reports of explosions suggest that some warheads were cluster munitions that scatter multiple smaller bombs.
At least eight settlements, mainly in central Israel, have been affected by debris or explosions. Social media posts show reports of destruction.
Earlier, alarms were also sounded in several northern areas of Israel, but were later canceled, informing that it was safe for people to leave shelters.
However, this corresponds to what happened on Sunday: numerous warnings of missile attacks, especially in the northern part of the country, where Israel is facing not only Iranian missile strikes but also attacks from Hezbollah from outside.
US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegset outlined US plans for war with Iran.
On Friday, Trump stated on his Truth Social page that military objectives in the Middle East are being considered for "rolling back" US operations.
He added that the US is nearly ready to "completely undermine" Iran's missile capabilities and destroy its defense industry.
According to him, the US aims to destroy Iran's naval and air forces, as well as prevent Iran from gaining nuclear capabilities.
Trump also emphasized that the US will protect its Middle Eastern allies "at the highest level."
Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset confirmed that US objectives have not changed since the initial strikes on Iran on February 28.
He stated that the goals remain the same: to destroy Iranian missile installations, defense industry, and navy, and to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Can Iranian missiles reach London?
Anna Lamche,
BBC News
Last night, the Israel Defense Forces reported that Iran now has missiles capable of reaching London, Paris, or Berlin.
This statement was made following Iran's unsuccessful attempt to strike the US-British military base Diego Garcia, located about 2,350 miles from Iran's southern coast.
An Iranian missile would need to cover approximately 2,700 miles to reach London.
Today, Housing Minister Steve Reed stated that "there are no specific assessments confirming that the Iranians are targeting the UK — or even could do so if they wanted."
Dr. Siddharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, commented: “The range of a missile is a variable, as if you put a lighter warhead on a missile, you can increase its range.”
However, while the claim that Iran has missiles capable of reaching the UK is "probably true," it is not a priority threat, as such weapons are inaccurate at long distances and must pass through well-defended airspace.
“The main question is: so what? If you can launch a small number of ballistic missiles with conventional munitions through well-defended airspace, what exactly are the Iranians trying to achieve?” he added.
Iran has promised to "completely close" the Strait of Hormuz if US President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to "destroy" Iranian power plants. Here are the latest updates on the conflict in the Middle East:
- Trump has given Iran 48 hours to restore operations in the Strait of Hormuz, otherwise he threatened to destroy its power plants, "STARTING WITH THE LARGEST!".
- An Iranian official reported that this vital waterway remains open to all vessels except those associated with "Iran's enemies." An explosion occurred near a cargo ship overnight.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that in the event of a US strike, the strait will not be reopened "until the destroyed power plants are restored."
- Lifting the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would mean Iran relinquishing its main lever of influence in this war, our South Asia correspondent reports.
- In other parts of Israel, more than 175 people have been injured as a result of the strikes. In Arad, 84 people are receiving treatment, and in Dimona, 78, after missile strikes hit these cities, which are closest to the nuclear facility.
- The Israeli ambulance service "Magen David Adom" reports that another 15 people were injured as a result of new strikes in the morning.
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