Iranian President: Targeting energy infrastructure is a war crime
In an unprecedented public message to the American people, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that the recent US and Israeli attacks on vital facilities, specifically targeting energy infrastructure, constitute a full-fledged “war crime.” These remarks come amidst unprecedented regional tensions and ahead of a highly anticipated address by US President Donald Trump. More than a month after the outbreak of widespread clashes in the Middle East, Trump claimed that Tehran was seeking a ceasefire, a claim the Iranian leadership swiftly and categorically denied, reflecting the deep political divide between the conflicting parties.
The roots of the conflict and the escalation of regional tensions
To understand the current situation, one must consider the historical context of the conflict in the region. For decades, Iran and Israel have waged a shadow war punctuated by cyberattacks, assassinations, and limited strikes. However, the joint Israeli-American attack on Tehran on February 28 represents a dangerous shift in the rules of engagement. Historically, oil and civilian infrastructure has been considered a red line to avoid all-out war, but the current focus on targeting energy assets is reminiscent of major oil crises and threatens to expand the conflict to include other international actors heavily reliant on energy supplies from the Persian Gulf.
Global impacts of targeting energy infrastructure
The repercussions of these attacks are not limited to Iran alone, but extend to the entire global economy. Targeting the energy infrastructure of a major oil and gas producer threatens a global energy crisis. In a message published on his official website, the Iranian president explained that attacking Iran's vital and industrial facilities is a direct and brutal attack on the Iranian people. Pezeshkian added that these actions transcend Iranian borders, generating regional and international instability and increasing human losses and exorbitant economic costs. He warned that such policies sow the seeds of resentment and hatred that could persist for decades to come. He considered this escalation not a show of force, but rather a clear indication of strategic confusion and an inability to find lasting diplomatic solutions.
Accusations of political manipulation and disregard for humanitarian crises
In his message to the American public, the Iranian president leveled harsh accusations against Israel, claiming it had “manipulated” the US administration and dragged it into a regional war—an accusation Donald Trump quickly denied. Pezeshkian explicitly questioned whether Israel was using the specter of an “Iranian threat” to divert international attention from its violations and crimes against the Palestinian people. He also raised a fundamental question about the “America First” slogan, asking whether Washington’s involvement in Middle Eastern wars truly serves the national interests and priorities of the United States at present.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis and the future of the global economy
On the other hand, the Strait of Hormuz stands out as one of the most important bargaining chips in this complex conflict. The US president has ruled out any ceasefire agreement without concrete guarantees of the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This vital waterway carries a fifth of the world's oil consumption, and any blockade or closure by Iran would inevitably lead to catastrophic destabilization of financial markets and the global economy. The entire world is awaiting Trump's address to the nation at 9:00 PM (01:00 GMT), his first official speech since the start of these hostilities, which is expected to outline future US policy toward this dangerous escalation.
