Iran and the US Escalate Threats Over Oil Facilities Amid Middle East Conflict

Portraits of Iranian military generals and nuclear scientists, killed during an Israeli strike on June 13, 2025, were displayed along roads in Tehran, while heavy smoke and flames engulfed an oil refinery in southern Tehran following an overnight air raid on June 15, 2025. (File/AFP)

Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, threatening to reduce American-linked oil facilities to “a pile of ashes” as the ongoing Middle East war drives global oil prices sharply higher. This comes after US President Donald Trump indicated he might “wipe out” Iran’s largest oil export hub on Kharg Island.

Since hostilities erupted on February 28, waves of drone, missile, and air strikes have displaced millions and reportedly killed over 1,200 people in Iran, with US and Israeli forces leading the attacks. Despite facing overwhelming military power, Iran has launched missile and drone counterattacks against at least ten countries, signaling its resilience and intent to escalate the conflict further.

Iran has also threatened international oil trade by warning it may target tankers in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. This threat has caused crude oil prices to surge more than 40% since the conflict began.

President Trump stated that US forces had “totally obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, describing the operation as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle Eastern history.” However, he said that the US had refrained from targeting the oil infrastructure—at least for now. He warned, “Should Iran, or anyone else, interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”

To ensure oil exports continue, the US Navy plans to begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz soon. Iran’s military, in response, declared that any US attack on its oil facilities or energy infrastructure linked to US interests would result in immediate destruction and turn these installations into “ashes,” according to Iranian media reports.

Human Cost and Displacement

The US and Israeli campaign has reportedly killed more than 1,200 people in Iran, though independent verification is lacking. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran since the start of the war.

Escalating Attacks on Tehran

Heavy explosions shook Tehran late Friday as the US vowed to intensify its airstrikes. Trump declared Iran “totally defeated” and insisted on terms that he would not negotiate. The Pentagon confirmed that US and Israeli forces had targeted over 15,000 locations in Iran in just two weeks, with Israel alone reporting 7,600 strikes, primarily against missile programs.

Iran continues to project strength, despite the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the onset of the US-Israeli offensive. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed as the new leader, though he remains largely absent from public view and is reportedly injured.

Within Iran, the Revolutionary Guards have warned of strict crackdowns on anti-government protests, recalling demonstrations in January that led to thousands of deaths. Authorities have also maintained a widespread internet blackout throughout the conflict.

Regional Fallout

The war has extended beyond Iran’s borders. A drone strike hit the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, shortly after two Iran-backed militants were killed in airstrikes. The Pentagon reportedly dispatched the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship with approximately 2,500 Marines, to the region, signaling the possibility of expanded US operations. Since the war began, 13 US personnel have died, including six in a non-combat aircraft crash in Iraq.

Gulf states remain under threat. Qatar intercepted two missiles over its capital, Doha, prompting evacuations in key areas. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting dozens of drones on Friday. Turkey confirmed NATO forces downed a ballistic missile launched from Iran—marking the third such interception during the conflict.

Lebanon has also become a theater of war after Tehran-backed militants attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed a dozen medical staff at a healthcare facility, and Lebanese authorities report at least 773 fatalities from attacks aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah, Iran’s regional ally.