‘Zero restraint’ if infrastructure hit again, warns Iran as energy war escalates

Iran has warned it will show “zero restraint” if its infrastructure is attacked again, signalling a sharp escalation in its stance amid intensifying strikes on energy facilities across the region.

Speaking on March 19, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran’s earlier response had used only a “fraction” of its capabilities and that restraint was exercised solely in respect of international calls for de-escalation.

“Zero restraint if our infrastructures are struck again,” he said in a public statement, warning that future attacks would trigger a much stronger response.

The warning comes after a major Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gasfield — the world’s largest natural gas reserve — which disrupted production and marked a significant shift toward targeting economic infrastructure.

In retaliation, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on energy facilities across the Gulf, including sites in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, according to multiple reports.

The escalation has pushed the conflict into what officials describe as a new phase, with energy infrastructure emerging as a central battleground. Iranian military officials have warned that any further attacks on their facilities could lead to sustained strikes on regional energy assets.

The targeting of energy sites has already had global repercussions. Oil prices have surged past $115 per barrel, while disruptions to liquefied natural gas infrastructure have raised concerns about supply shocks and inflationary pressure worldwide.

Diplomatic tensions have also intensified, with regional countries condemning attacks on critical infrastructure and calling for restraint. At the same time, the United States has warned of “overwhelming” consequences if Iranian strikes on allied energy assets continue.

The latest exchange underscores a widening conflict in which both sides are increasingly targeting high-value economic assets, raising fears of prolonged instability in global energy markets and further regional spillover.