Tehran: Iran on Sunday vowed to hit back “in kind” at US assaults on its infrastructure, mere hours after President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of expletives threatening to rain “Hell” on Tehran for failing to clear the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday.
“Our armed forces have made it clear that in case Iran’s infrastructure is attacked, we would react in kind,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Al Jazeera via email.
“Our armed forces would target any similar infrastructure that is owned or in any way or manner related to the United States or contributes to their act of aggression against Iran,” he added.
Baghaei was not alone in condemning Trump. Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf issued a stark warning against “reckless” US moves, as reported by Mint.
“Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands,” Ghalibaf charged. “Make no mistake: You won’t gain anything through war crimes.”
“The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game,” he concluded.
The Iranian statements followed Trump’s interview with Axios, where he said, “There is a good chance, but if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there.” Trump noted that negotiations continued, leaving room for a deal before the deadline.
Earlier, on his Truth Social platform on Easter Sunday, Trump posted a more incendiary message: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****n’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
He followed up shortly after with: “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!”
Trump’s escalating tone suggests this could mark the final extension for Tehran. Since the war erupted on February 28, the US president has repeatedly threatened strikes on Iran’s critical civilian and energy infrastructure but has held back, citing diplomatic efforts.
He initially issued a 10-day ultimatum, later extended to pause attacks until April 6. Prior to that, Trump delayed strikes on Iranian power plants by five days to allow ongoing engagements with Tehran.
Iran’s firm rhetoric underscores the high stakes as the deadline looms, with both sides signaling little room for further delays amid fragile talks.
