US weighs Iran energy strikes as Americans urged to leave region

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Iranian lawmaker Ali Khazaei said on Saturday that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to those prevailing before the war, describing the strategic waterway as an "inalienable" part of Iran's rights.

"The conditions in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war situation," the Varamin representative said, adding that Iran would continue to maintain security in the waterway and would not accept foreign interference there.

The US Embassy in Jordan urged Americans in the Middle East on Saturday to consider leaving the region or be prepared to depart if tensions escalate, warning of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.

"The security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the embassy said in a security alert, advising Americans to exercise heightened vigilance.

The embassy also told US citizens to avoid travel to military bases in Jordan and warned that Iran and groups supportive of Tehran could target US interests overseas. It said Americans outside the Middle East should "seriously reconsider" travel to or through the region.

Kuwait's military said on Saturday its air defenses were engaging hostile drone attacks following "Iranian aggression."

"Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile drone attacks," the military said on X.

It said any explosions heard were the result of air-defense systems intercepting the incoming attacks and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said officials should work to expand the authority of Iran's system of clerical rule, arguing that strengthening the country required unity around the principle of velayat-e faqih.

"We officials must, first and foremost, enable the velayat-e faqih to exercise greater authority," Ghalibaf told a parliamentary coordination council. "If we want a strong Iran, we must start from this point."

Ghalibaf said strengthening Iran should be the country's top priority and called for unity around the system of clerical leadership. He also said Iran had "won the war" but needed to "consolidate and record the victory."

A tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, damaging its engine room and leaving the vessel unable to maneuver, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday.

The incident occurred about 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman, UKMTO said, citing the vessel's company security officer.

No casualties or environmental impact were reported, and Oman's coast guard was informed. Authorities are investigating the incident, UKMTO said.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Saturday that the country's army must have exclusive control over weapons and military force, reiterating a position that puts pressure on Iran-backed Hezbollah to disarm.

"There is no legitimacy for any weapon outside the legitimacy of the state, and there is no protection for this country except through its national army," Aoun said in a statement marking Lebanese Army Day.

"The army alone possesses the decision, the force and the legitimacy to be the state's exclusive military arm," he added.

An Iranian lawmaker has proposed building underground "governance cities" inside mountains to protect provincial officials from assassination during the ongoing conflict.

"Given the wartime conditions prevailing in the country, which will continue, we need to build governance cities across the provinces, particularly in provincial capitals," Tehran lawmaker Ali Khezarian said.

He said the facilities would allow government officials and administrators to be moved underground and "into the heart of mountains" to protect them from assassination during attacks on Iran.

Nour News, a media outlet close to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned on Saturday that any US strike on Iran's energy infrastructure could trigger a wider regional energy crisis and disrupt global oil markets.

The outlet said such an attack could put major energy facilities across the region at risk, including Saudi Arabia's Ghawar oil field and Abqaiq and Khurais facilities, the UAE's Zakum field and Ruwais refinery, Qatar's Ras Laffan gas complex, Kuwait's Burgan field, Bahrain's Sitra refinery, and the Leviathan and Tamar gas fields.

"If Tehran concludes that the aim of an attack is to create lasting disruption to the country's economic capacity, it is natural that it will seek to increase the cost for the other side," the report said, warning that an attack on Iran's energy sector could escalate into "an energy security crisis" with global economic consequences.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Indian counterpart that continued US military action against Iran was the main cause of insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iran's foreign ministry, Araghchi said "the United States' continued military aggression against Iran, including its naval blockade and attacks on Iranian commercial shipping, is the main cause of insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz," and called on the international community to hold those responsible accountable.