Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf
Iran has stepped up its threats, targeting buyers of U.S. Treasuries. It was part of a growing exchange of warnings as the end of the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Trump administration approaches.
Speaking on social media on Sunday, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that in addition to military installations, the targets of the attacks would include US financial institutions holding the country’s government bonds.
“American bonds are soaked in the blood of Iranians,” Ghalibaf said. – By purchasing them, you put your headquarters and assets at risk.” He added that financial institutions that support the U.S. military budget are also legitimate targets for attacks.
The tightening follows a Saturday ultimatum by US President Donald Trump demanding Tehran open the Strait of Hormuz, an important transportation corridor for global energy supplies. Otherwise, Trump warned, the U.S. and its allies could carry out strikes at Iran’s power plants. The ultimatum deadline expires Monday night Washington time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was prepared to back the U.S. threat. Speaking Sunday in the town of Arad, which was hit by an Iranian missile strike, Netanyahu appealed to world leaders, including European countries, to join the military effort.
“Iran is capable of inflicting serious damage on Europe … their attacks are aimed at everyone,” he noted.
Iran responded by threatening to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and attack energy infrastructure and desalination plants in the Persian Gulf if the US fulfills its ultimatum.
On Sunday, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that any US or Israeli strike on Iranian power plants would trigger immediate retaliatory attacks on the region’s energy and oil infrastructure, resulting in “irreversible” damage.
On Monday, the conflict escalated, with reciprocal attacks resuming. The escalation of the conflict led to a sharp rise in oil prices due to fears of a deepening oil crisis, which increases inflation and negatively affects the economy.
On Monday, Brent crude recovered some of its losses and rose 0.44% to $112.68 a barrel by 10:57 p.m. ET. U.S. WTI crude rose 0.78% to $99 a barrel.
