The U.S. Threatens to Bomb Iranian Civilian Facilities, Iran Says It Will Respond in Kind

On the 22nd, the U.S. Central Command stated that the U.S. military began a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets at 5:30 PM Eastern Time. On the same day, President Trump threatened to bomb Iranian civilian facilities. Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated that Iran would respond in kind to any attacks on its infrastructure. Iranian Islamic Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf reiterated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to pre-war conditions.

U.S. military launches new round of strikes against Iran

On the 22nd, the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that the U.S. military began a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets at 5:30 PM Eastern Time, in order to continue weakening Iran's ability to threaten maritime shipping in the region. This marks the 12th consecutive night of U.S. military actions against Iran.

According to reports from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on the morning of the 23rd, multiple areas in southern and southwestern Iran were hit by missile strikes, with explosions reported. Additionally, Iranian media cited officials saying that U.S. missile strikes targeted the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq. The attacks have resulted in 2 deaths.

Reports indicated that explosions were heard in Sirik County of Hormozgan Province, the city of Ahvaz in Khuzestan Province, and Bushehr County in Bushehr Province.

U.S. threatens to bomb Iranian civilian facilities; international oil prices rise significantly

On the 22nd, Trump threatened to bomb Iranian bridges or power plants and other civilian facilities, leading to a significant rise in international crude oil futures prices that morning, followed by a strong consolidation, with international oil prices closing up about 3%.

As of the close of trading that day, the price of light crude oil futures for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose by $2.49, closing at $86.83 per barrel, an increase of 2.95%; the price of Brent crude oil futures for September delivery rose by $3.06, closing at $94.07 per barrel, an increase of 3.36%.

Earlier on the 22nd, Trump stated that every time Iran fires on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will bomb and destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant, including such facilities in and around Tehran.

The Iranian military responded by stating that if the U.S. strikes Iranian bridges or power plants, Iran will retaliate against energy and other infrastructure in the region that has ties to U.S. interests.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Response in kind

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif posted on social media on the evening of the 22nd, stating that any attack on Iranian infrastructure will provoke a "resolute, strong, and decisive" response.

Zarif emphasized that any party participating in or supporting such attacks in any form will be considered a legitimate target by Iran.

The Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, Khatam al-Anbia, also stated that if the U.S. acts on its threats against Iranian infrastructure, the Iranian armed forces will prevent oil exports from the Middle East and strike the region's oil, gas, electricity, and economic infrastructure.

Iranian Speaker: Either everyone has it, or no one does

On the 22nd, Iranian Islamic Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions.

Ghalibaf posted on social media that the logic of this war is very clear: "Either everyone has it, or no one does." If Iran cannot export oil in the region, no other country will be able to export oil; if Iran's security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure in the region will be safe.

Ghalibaf stated, "The Strait of Hormuz can only be safe in the absence of U.S. forces. We have repeatedly stated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions." (Reporters: Huang Qiang, Xu Jianmei, Hu Yousong, Liu Yanan, Chen Xiao, Shadati, Sun Yi, Chen Jing)