Iran warns U.S. firms in Middle East could be hit

Iran has warned that facilities belonging to American companies across the Middle East could become targets if its own energy infrastructure is attacked as the regional conflict intensifies.

The warning follows recent strikes by the United States and its allies on Iranian sites, including military targets on Kharg Island, a strategic hub responsible for most of Iran’s oil exports.

Iranian officials said attacks on the country’s energy facilities would be met with retaliation against assets linked to U.S. interests in the region, particularly oil and gas installations operated by American firms or their partners.

The threat comes as the conflict between Iran and its adversaries enters a new phase, with fears that energy infrastructure across the Gulf could be drawn into the fighting. Analysts warn that any sustained attacks on oil terminals or refineries could disrupt global supplies and push energy prices higher.

Tensions have already spilled beyond Iran’s borders. Security incidents and drone strikes have been reported near key energy hubs in several Gulf states, raising concerns about the safety of shipping routes and industrial facilities.

The confrontation has also heightened anxiety over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

Diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis have so far made little progress, while military exchanges continue across the region. Officials and market analysts say the energy sector has become one of the most sensitive fronts in the conflict, with oil infrastructure now viewed as both a strategic asset and a potential target.