Iran: Will Fully Close the Strait of Hormuz if Power Plant is Attacked

Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, March 22 (Reporter Chen Xiao, Shadati) According to a report from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on the 22nd, the Iranian armed forces issued a statement that if U.S. President Trump’s threat to attack Iranian power plants is carried out, Iran will immediately take four "punitive" measures, including a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement indicated that Iran has repeatedly stated that the Strait of Hormuz is only closed to enemies and for "harmful passage," and it has not been completely blocked; it is currently under Iran's "intelligent control." "Under specific rules, innocent passage is still conducted while ensuring our safety and interests."

The statement warned that if the U.S. implements its threat to attack Iranian power plants, Iran will immediately take four "punitive" measures: the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed until the damaged power facilities are rebuilt; there will be widespread strikes against all Israeli power facilities, energy, and communication infrastructure; all U.S.-owned companies in the Middle East will be completely destroyed; and the power facilities of all countries with U.S. military bases in the region will become legitimate targets for attack.

The statement said: "If the enemy causes damage to our power facilities, we will spare no effort to defend national interests and initiate a continuous and uninterrupted destruction process against the aforementioned targets."

On the evening of the 21st, Trump posted on social media, demanding that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, or else he would strike and destroy Iran's "various power plants."