Iran threatened to 'black out' Gulf if US hit power plants

Tehran, Iran – Iran issued a stern warning to Gulf neighbors, threatening to "black out" the entire region if the United States launched an attack on its power plants, two officials familiar with the matter told AFP.

The message, conveyed through intermediaries, detailed a specific list of targets Iran intended to strike in retaliation. This warning came in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's consideration of a significant military strike against Iran, a plan he later abandoned after receiving calls from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, who urged de-escalation.

"Iran threatened to black out the Gulf, country by country, if Trump attacked its power plants," one Gulf official stated, with a second regional official corroborating the information. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

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Iran threatened to black out the Gulf, country by country, if Trump attacked its power plants.

President Trump had described the potential strikes as "the biggest attack since World War II," with U.S. media reporting that energy infrastructure was among the primary targets considered. Iran's conveyed message indicated that any attacks on its power plants would result in reciprocal strikes on similar infrastructure in the Gulf.

While Iran has made similar threats publicly before, the Gulf official described this latest warning as "very serious," noting the inclusion of "a long list of targets they would attack." The message specifically mentioned hitting power plants and crucial water desalination facilities, upon which much of the arid region depends for drinking water. Following Trump's decision to call off the strikes, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman spoke with the U.S. leader, aiming to reduce regional tensions.

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The new one was very serious.