'Say goodbye to electricity!': Iran publishes lists of energy targets in the Middle East

Iranian state media on Monday published lists of potential Middle Eastern energy infrastructure targets, should U.S. President Donald Trump follow through on his threat to destroy Iranian power plants at the end of his Monday night ultimatum.

Outlets, including Mizan Online, an organ of the judiciary, released infographics showing these possible targets, notably Israel's Orot Rabin and Rutenberg plants — the country's two main power stations. The other three are the Heshkol plant near Ashdod, the Hagit plant, and the Haruvit (Tzavit) plant about 55 kilometers from Jerusalem.

Another infographic, published by the Mehr agency and titled "Say goodbye to electricity!", listed potential targets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. It was accompanied by a message: "At the slightest attack on the Islamic Republic's electrical infrastructure, the entire region will be plunged into darkness."

Shortly after these lists were published, Trump announced a 'five-day' delay for any strike on power plants or energy infrastructure in Iran, citing "very good and productive discussions for a total cessation" of hostilities. Tehran, for its part, denied any direct or indirect communication with the United States.

Alongside Iran's announcement of its targets, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a central political figure, had promised to irreversibly destroy vital infrastructure throughout the region if the United States and Israel attacked Iran's own. This escalation followed threats made by the American president on Friday to "annihilate" Iran's power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, an ultimatum set to expire Monday night.

This strategic maritime route for global trade has been blocked by Iran since the beginning of the war, which was triggered by American-Israeli bombings on Feb. 28.