Tehran, 17 July (H.S.): Iran's senior Armed Forces spokesperson, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, on Thursday (local time) warned that Tehran would launch attacks on US military bases across West Asia if Iran's military facilities came under attack. He also asserted that the presence of US forces was the primary cause of insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks were reported by Iran Wire, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), and Fox News.

In an interview broadcast by IRIB, Shekarchi said that neither the United States nor Israel had any legitimate right to maintain a military presence in the region. He claimed that the Strait of Hormuz remained secure under Iran's control and blamed the growing tensions in the strategically vital waterway on the US military blockade. He also urged neighbouring countries to cooperate with Iran.

The spokesperson said, If any damage is inflicted upon us, all American infrastructure in the region will become our target. He added, We will strike the enemy with full force. We can continue fighting for years.

His remarks followed a similar warning issued by the spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country's largest operational military command responsible for coordinating operations between the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In its statement, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters declared that the United States would not be allowed, under any circumstances, to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz. It further alleged that Washington had targeted Iran's oil and gas export routes and warned that if such actions continued, all infrastructure linked to US and allied interests across the region would be destroyed.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions after the United States reportedly resumed its naval blockade around Iran's southern ports in recent days and intensified airstrikes on military installations in southern Iran. US President Donald Trump has warned that if no agreement is reached, American military operations would expand to target Iran's critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

Speaking to Fox News, President Trump said, The coming week will be very bad for Iran. The United States will strike power plants and bridges.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar