The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a stark warning: continued Israeli strikes on Iranian energy facilities will trigger attacks on US, Israeli, and partner energy assets across the region. This threat follows a Monday exchange of fire targeting critical petrochemical infrastructure.
Earlier Monday, Israel struck the Karun complex in Mahshahr, southwest Iran, a major hub for ethylene production. In retaliation, the IRGC Aerospace Force targeted industrial facilities in Haifa, Israel's primary port and chemical center, home to the Bazan Group refinery.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected claims that Washington attempted to prevent the Israeli offensive, asserting full alignment between US Central Command and Israeli operations. He cited Article 51 of the UN Charter to justify Iran's self-defense actions.
In a significant diplomatic shift, Baghaei indicated that discussions regarding Iran's enriched uranium stockpile could enter negotiations in a second phase, marking a departure from Tehran's previous stance that the issue was non-negotiable. Current talks remain focused on ending the war, with no prisoner exchange agenda set.
Baghaei also denied reports of an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia and criticized IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi for political bias. Despite an April 8 ceasefire between Iran and the US, hostilities continue across multiple fronts.