Iran’s Parliament Speaker Warns of Severe Retaliation if Gulf Islands Attacked

Iran's parliament speaker threatened unprecedented retaliation if strategic Persian Gulf islands face attacks, highlighting their crucial role in the nation's economy and security. The islands, including major oil export hub Kharg Island, represent key vulnerabilities that could cripple Iran's economy if targeted.

Iran’s parliamentary leader issued stark warnings Thursday about potential strikes on strategic Persian Gulf islands that serve as the nation’s southern maritime border, emphasizing their vital role in Iran’s economic and security framework.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared through social media that Iran “will abandon all restraint” should these islands face assault, holding U.S. President Donald Trump accountable for “the blood of American soldiers.”

Despite representing a minimal portion of Iran’s landmass, these islands hold disproportionate significance due to their petroleum infrastructure and tactical positioning.

The motivation behind Qalibaf’s statements remained unclear, though he joins others who have discussed potential island strikes since the Iran conflict commenced February 28.

Both American and Israeli officials have indicated interest in broadening target lists beyond nuclear and military installations. While Israeli government representatives haven’t openly mentioned the islands, opposition figure Yair Lapid has advocated for attacking Kharg Island’s energy facilities.

“That is what will cripple Iran’s economy and topple the regime,” Lapid posted on X last Sunday.

The compact coral formation sits approximately 21 miles from Iran’s mainland and functions as the central hub handling virtually all Iranian petroleum exports.

Oil revenues constitute a major portion of Iran’s income, with deliveries reaching nations including China. Targeting Kharg would damage not only current leadership but potentially weaken any future replacement government.

Southern sections house massive storage facilities alongside residential areas for thousands of employees. Wildlife including gazelles wander near refineries and storage areas that establish Kharg as among Iran’s most precious and vulnerable resources.

Investment analysts at JPMorgan’s commodity research division cautioned this week about significant economic ramifications from striking the facility.

“The island has often been viewed as a critical vulnerability, yet it has rarely been directly targeted,” their analysis stated. “A direct strike would immediately halt the bulk of Iran’s crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.”

Three diminutive islands have remained central to ongoing disputes between Iran and U.S.-allied Gulf nations.

Iranian military took control of these territories in November 1971, shortly after Britain’s Gulf withdrawal and preceding the formation of the United Arab Emirates from local sheikhdoms. Iran continues maintaining armed forces and military installations across the islands.

This territorial disagreement persists as one of the region’s most enduring conflict zones.

The Persian Gulf’s most substantial island lies adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, housing roughly 150,000 inhabitants. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed American forces damaged a desalination facility there March 8 — an allegation Washington hasn’t confirmed.

“Attacking Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences,” Araghchi stated in a March 7 social media post. “The U.S. set this precedent, not Iran.”

The water treatment plant serves approximately 30 rural communities.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry, located in the nation hosting America’s 5th Fleet headquarters, reported an Iranian drone “caused material damage” to their desalination infrastructure the following day, though water distribution remained unaffected.