سياسة التخريب واستهداف المدنيين.. إستراتيجية الجنون الإيراني

In the midst of the escalating war, Iranian officials are repeating a single narrative that military operations are exclusively directed against American or Israeli interests. However, the ground realities, as reflected in international reports and evidence on the ground, paint a different picture; the strikes have extended to civilian facilities and vital economic corridors in several Gulf countries.

Official Narrative and Different Reality

Tehran asserts in its official statements that its military operations target "only American interests." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, "We are only targeting American assets, facilities, and military bases," yet the developments on the ground have revealed a clear contradiction between the announced narrative and the actual results of the attacks, as missiles and drones have hit civilian facilities and economic infrastructure in more than one Gulf state.

Civilian Facilities Under Fire

According to official data and international reports, Iranian attacks have targeted airports, ports, oil facilities, and major maritime corridors. In Kuwait, the Civil Aviation Authority announced that Kuwait International Airport was attacked by drones, which hit the radar system. Additionally, the Port of Fujairah in the UAE was attacked by a drone, leading to a fire and disruption of some of its activities, as reported by Bloomberg.

The strikes also extended to fuel tanks at the Port of Salalah in Oman, as well as targeting Abu Dhabi Airport and the Ras Tanura refinery. In the city of Al-Kharj, a projectile fell on a residential site belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company in the governorate, resulting in the deaths of residents of Indian and Bangladeshi nationalities and injuring 12 others, along with material damages.

Thousands of Attacks in the Region

Estimates and follow-up reports indicate that Iran has targeted 7 Arab countries, most of them Gulf states, with thousands of missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the confrontation, in addition to airstrikes by fighter jets.

These strikes have affected multiple civilian facilities, including airports, ports, and various buildings, resulting in casualties and injuries among civilians.

Threat to International Navigation

The attacks have not been limited to land facilities; they have also extended to the sea, with strikes recorded against commercial ships and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most vital energy corridors in the world, through which about 20% of global oil and gas trade passes.

Several commercial vessels sustained direct damage, with some catching fire, forcing their crews to evacuate.

The strikes also targeted ports and industrial areas in the Gulf, including sites in Oman and areas near Muscat, as well as oil vessels off the coasts, leading to casualties and injuries among workers and ship crews.

Strait of Hormuz Under Threat

In a notable development, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard issued unprecedented warnings to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, announcing that they could become military targets, in a message that practically means one of the world's most important trade routes is now threatened.

Contradiction of the Narrative

While Tehran insists that its operations are "limited" and only target American objectives, the ground realities reveal that the strikes have extended to civilian facilities and economic infrastructure relied upon by millions in the Gulf and the world.

Between the Iranian narrative and reality, the war, which was said to be directed at specific targets, has often transformed into a broader threat affecting the global economy, international navigation, and civilian infrastructure in the region.