Iran warns Israel not to attack its infrastructure

Iran warns Israel not to attack its infrastructure
by AFP Staff Writers
Tehran (AFP) Oct 8, 2024
Iran warned Israel on Tuesday against attacking any of its infrastructure amid fears of a possible Israeli assault on oil or nuclear sites following Iran's missile barrage last week.

"Any attack against infrastructure in Iran will provoke an even stronger response," state television quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying.

He spoke after Israel said it was preparing a response to Iran's October 1 missile attack on its arch-enemy, its second on the country in six months.

On Monday, an official statement quoted Araghchi as saying Iran did not seek war in the region.

On Friday US President Joe Biden cautioned Israel against attacking oil installations in Iran, one of the world's top 10 producers of crude.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Rassul Sanairad warned Israel on Sunday any attack on nuclear or energy sites would cross a "red line".

The Fars news agency quoted him as saying following the Israeli threat: "Some political leaders have spoken of a possible change in Iran's nuclear policy."

In 2022, after an official said Iran had the technical capability to produce a nuclear weapon, the country stressed there had been no change in its nuclear ambitions.

Last year Iran slowed the pace of its uranium enrichment, but then in late 2023 accelerated the production of 60 percent enriched uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Enrichment levels of around 90 percent are required for military use.

Iran has always denied any ambition to develop a nuclear weapons capability, insisting its activities are entirely peaceful.

Any attack on Iranian nuclear sites "would have an impact on the kind of response by Iran", General Sanairad said.

Tehran says its attack on Israel, when some 200 missiles were fired, was a response to the death in a Beirut air strike of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah, and of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh's death, but Israel has not commented.

Iran oil minister visits key site after Israeli threats

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad visited an oil facility on Kharg Island on Sunday amid growing concerns over potential Israeli air strikes targeting such vital sites.

The visit comes after an Israeli official said the country was "preparing a response" after Iran launched a barrage of missiles this week at Israel, its sworn enemy.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the 200 missiles were fired to avenge the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan in a September 27 strike on Beirut.

Paknejad arrived at the Kharg Island oil facilities in the morning and met with employees, his ministry's news agency, SHANA, reported.

"We are not afraid that our enemies will ignite a crisis, and visiting the region is a normal business trip," Paknejad said on state television.

Kharg Island, located on the Gulf, is home to Iran's largest crude oil export terminal.

During his visit, Paknejad also met with Mohammad Hossein Bargahi, the Guards' naval commander for the region, IRNA state news agency reported.

Paknejad hailed the Guards for "continuous efforts in maintaining the security" of Iranian oil platforms in the Gulf, the agency added.

Paknejad's visit follows Israel's announcement that it was preparing a response to Iran's missile attack Tuesday on its territory.

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden said he was "in discussions" with Israel about possible strikes on oil facilities in Iran.

Following the statement, oil prices surged.

But on Friday Biden advised Israel against striking Iran's oil facilities, telling it to find "other alternatives".

Following the Israeli threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday warned of "a proportional and similar reaction from Iran, and even stronger" should Israel strike Iran.