Iran IRGC Warns of Energy War After US-Israel Strikes

March 10, 2026 | 03:18 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that the expanding conflict could turn into an "energy war" after U.S.-backed Israeli airstrikes targeted energy facilities around Tehran.

IRGC spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfighari stated that the United States had opened a new chapter in the conflict by attacking Iran's energy infrastructure. The statement was conveyed through a video message broadcast by Al Jazeera on Monday, March 9, 2026.

"If they can afford the price of oil at $200 per barrel, then let them keep playing this game," Zolfighari said in the video message.

The warning comes after U.S. President Donald Trump previously suggested that the conflict with Iran might soon come to an end.

Tehran has asserted that it will determine when military operations against U.S. and Israeli targets will cease. The IRGC also stated that the balance of power and the future of the region now lie in the hands of the Iranian forces.

Attack on Energy Infrastructure

According to News18, the recent Israeli attacks targeted a number of fuel storage and refining facilities around Tehran. The attacks reportedly hit dozens of large-scale oil storage tanks.

The mentioned targets include the Shahr-e Rey refinery complex, fuel depots in the Shahran area of Shahr-e Rey, as well as storage facilities in Kouhak and Karaj-Fardis. The strikes are described as one of the largest direct assaults on Iran's energy infrastructure since the conflict began.

This latest attack also marks a shift in the focus of the conflict. Initially, military operations mainly targeted Iran's military, nuclear, and missile facilities. Now, the attacks are beginning to target broader economic assets.

However, the targets have not yet included Iran's main oil export center, such as Kharg Island, or major refineries in the southern regions like Abadan and Bandar Abbas.

Escalation of Conflict in the Region

As reported by NDTV, Trump had previously stated that the war against Iran might be brief, but he also left open the possibility of escalation if Iran disrupts global oil supplies.

"We took a little excursion to the Middle East to get rid of some evil. And, I think you'll see it's going to be a short-term excursion," Trump told Republican Party members at his golf club near Miami.

Iran had previously reportedly targeted energy facilities in the Gulf region in response to earlier attacks. The targets included facilities owned by Saudi Aramco in Ras Tanura and energy installations in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, including water desalination facilities.

Read: Vietnam Proposes Zero Import Tariff for Certain Oil Products

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