Kathmandu. Tehran: Amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East, Iran has strongly retaliated against US warnings, signaling that any attack on its infrastructure would strike against strategic installations across the region.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a “heavy strike” if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to “destroy” the country’s major power plants if it did not open the strait. In response, Iran’s Military Operations Command has warned that US-linked energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure will be targeted across the region.

Meanwhile, Iran has fired missiles at the cities of Arad and Dimona in southern Israel after an attack on the Natanz nuclear site. Missiles fired through Israeli air defenses damaged residential structures and wounded more than 100 people. The imminent strike at the sensitive nuclear site at Dimona has raised further concerns, although Israel has not formally acknowledged its nuclear capability.

Israel responded by launching new airstrikes on Tehran. The attack was one of the deadliest in the three-week conflict. Rescue workers searched for the wounded from the rubble after the explosion in Arad. Local residents have described the horrific experience of the explosion.

The Strait of Hormuz, at the centre of tensions, is a vital gateway for the global economy. About one-fifth of the world’s crude oil is transported from here. Due to the current disruption, the price of oil in the international market has reached above $ 105 per barrel, indicating economic instability.

Trump has criticized NATO allies and called on them to take an active role in securing the strait. A total of 22 countries, including the UK, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have condemned Iran’s blockade of waterways.

According to the US Central Command, a bunker-busting bomb has recently been fired on Iran’s coastal infrastructure, which it claims is affecting Iran’s ability to control the sea to some extent. Meanwhile, thousands of US troops are moving into the Middle East.

Iran has also targeted countries in the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia says it has found three ballistic missiles near Riyadh and shot down three drones. The United Arab Emirates has also said that it has retaliated against the Iranian attack. Iran also claimed to have attempted to fire a long-range missile at the US-UK military base in Diego Garcia, but failed.

According to analysts, Iran’s military capabilities are more durable than expected. Despite the damage to the top leadership, the government and the military structure are believed to have shown resilience.

Amid this tense situation, the end of Ramadan and the festival of Nowruz have been celebrated in Iran. After the change of Supreme Leader, he has been seen less in public, while religious activities are being carried out through other leadership. As the general public celebrates the New Year, the fear of war has gripped the atmosphere.