Iran’s interior minister warns protesters will be treated as enemies as Trump administration calls on Israel to halt strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.
Protesters Now Classified as Enemies
Iran’s interior minister warned on Tuesday night that anyone who takes to the streets at the enemy’s request will no longer be seen as protesters but as enemies and will be treated as such. He stated that security forces are ready and have their fingers on the trigger. “We will sacrifice our lives for our country and people,” he concluded.
Iranian Intelligence Arrests Spies
On Tuesday, Iranian intelligence announced the arrest of dozens of people, including a foreigner, on charges of spying for “enemies of the country.” Without specifying the nationality of the detained foreigner, the ministry only stated that “the foreigner spied for the United States and Israel and acted on behalf of two Persian Gulf countries.”
Energy Installations Targeted
Iran attacked energy installations in the Persian Gulf at the beginning of the war, but did not cause significant or irreversible damage. However, the United States fears that a new wave of attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure could further increase oil prices.
Israel Bombards Iranian Fuel Depots
Israeli air force bombed Iranian fuel depots on Saturday, causing massive fires in Tehran. The city was shrouded in dark smoke, and flames were visible from many kilometers away. Axios reported that Israeli airstrikes on fuel depots marked the first serious rift between Israel and the US during the war with Iran. “The attacks were larger than Washington expected,” the service noted.
US Requests Israeli Restraint
“The Trump administration has asked Israel not to carry out further strikes on energy targets in Iran, primarily oil infrastructure,” Axios reports, citing three sources. This marks the first time US authorities have taken action to limit the Israeli side since the beginning of joint operations against Iran.
According to an Israeli source, the message from the US was conveyed at a high political level. It was also received by Israeli army chief Gen. Eyal Zamir.
“The US asked us to inform them in advance about future strikes on oil infrastructure in Iran,” another Israeli Axios source said.
Attacks Considered ‘Last Resort’
Another source conveyed that the Trump administration pointed out that such attacks harm Iranian society, and a large part of it is anti-regime. “Trump also wants to cooperate with the Iranian oil sector after the war ends, as is the case with Venezuela. Strikes could also trigger massive Iranian retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries,” the administration explained.
As noted, Trump views attacks on Iranian energy and oil facilities as a “last resort” that can be used when Tehran first targets oil infrastructure in regional countries. Recall that earlier Trump threatened to attack Iranian power plants if Iran attacks ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.