Iranian Politician Responds to Trump's Threat, Assures of Eliminating US Troops

JAKARTA - Iranian politicians responded harshly to Trump's threat to take over Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export center.

Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, wrote on X: "Please come - we are waiting for you - and we promise that not a single American soldier will return alive."

Ali Akbar Velayati, former Iranian Foreign Minister, highlighted the "latest escalation" by stating on X, Iran "has previously warned 'this region is not a place for the political gambling of small countries'" and Iran "is ready to pull the trigger to clean up this region."

Trump previously hinted at additional action through an attack on Iran on Wednesday night local time. Trump again threatened to target vital civilian infrastructure.

"It could be a big attack, and it would cripple a lot of things," Trump warned during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit, reported CNN, Wednesday, July 8.

Trump referred to the power plant. "We'll shut it down. I don't want to do that, but if we have to, we'll shut it down," he said.

He also touched on desalination facilities, which are vital facilities for the provision of drinking water.

"We will cripple it if necessary. I am reluctant to do that. It is probably the least I would like to do," Trump threatened.

On Wednesday, July 8, President Trump also mentioned Kharg Island, a major center for Iran's oil exports.

"We attacked Kharg Island last night, disabling part of it. I said, 'Don't touch the oil, because maybe we'll take over Kharg Island,'" Trump said, recalling his instructions to the US military.

"I said, 'Don't hit the cheek, just hit the other one.' And they hit him. They'll probably hit him again tonight."