Iran renews threats to strike Middle East infrastructure

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Tuesday that Tehran could attack infrastructure across the Middle East if its security is not guaranteed, directly linking the threat to the ongoing conflict with Washington. Ghalibaf stated that if Iran cannot sell oil, no other country will either, adding that no infrastructure would be safe without security guarantees. His remarks came after indirect US-Iran talks in New York mediated by Qatar, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he expected an official US response to Tehran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The region has seen relative calm, with no US strikes on Iran since September 1, though ships in the Strait of Hormuz remain frequent targets. Meanwhile, Washington has intensified economic pressure, imposing sanctions on all Iranian airlines effective Wednesday, forcing major carriers to cancel international flights.