Iran’s top military spokesman warned on Friday that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” worldwide won’t be safe for the country’s enemies. Iran‘s top military spokesman has warned the regime could plan attacks at civilian locations around the world. According to Iranian state television, Abolfazl Shekarchi said: “From now on, based on the information we have about you, even parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you.” This threat renewed concerns that Iran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic.
This comes as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has expressed condolences over the killing of former Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, saying, “security must be taken away from internal and external enemies”. The threat to worldwide tourism sites came as Iran has been rocked by heavy US/Israel strikes, and after another key figure, General Ali Mohammad Naeini, was killed following massive airstrikes.
Moreover, the Israeli military said on Friday that Esmail Ahmadi, head of intelligence for the Basij, and internal security force, had been killed by a strike earlier in the week that hit other Basij leaders, the agency also reported.
Also on Friday, US President Donald Trump launched a major offensive in a bid to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, as fears soar over the rapidly increasing price of oil.
The US has deployed Apache helicopters and low-flying jets to strike Iranian ships in the crucial shipping channel, which has been closed by Iran since earlier this month. Leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada released a statement urging Iran to “cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block” the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed a “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait”.
In retaliation to recent attacks part of Operation Epic Fury, Iran struck a refinery in Haifa, Israel, yesterday (March 19) as Tehran continued to target oil infrastructure in the Middle East. The attack is likely to affect the current cost of oil, which has already been impacted by the tension and conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia threatened to join the fighting directly, a move that could plunge the Middle East into a regional war.
The nation’s foreign minister heavily criticised Iran following more overnight attacks by the Islamic Republic on neighbouring countries in the region. Saudi Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after a meeting between foreign ministers of the Gulf Arab states that his country would use every lever to stop the missiles and drones coming from Iran, including not ruling out armed intervention.
In the UK, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Russia and Iran of attempting to “hijack the global economy” as Tehran continued to blockade a key oil shipping route. The government, however, was keen to play down the prospect of rationing, insisting Britain is well stocked with fuel. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Both the AA and Fuels Industry UK have been clear drivers should fill up as normal, with fuel production and imports continuing across the UK as usual with no issues reported.”