RIYADH: Iran theatened on Friday to attack the Saudi port of Yanbu coast if the US launched a ground invasion of its territory.
The Revolutionary Guards also warned civilians across the Middle East to stay away from areas near US forces and avoid hotels that accommodated US military personnel.
Accusing US-Israeli forces of using non-combatants as human shields, the Guards told civilians to “urgently leave locations where American forces are stationed so that no harm comes to you.”
Yanbu on the Red Sea coast has increased in significance during Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with the Kingdom able to pump oil by pipeline from east to west. The UAE has done the same in reverse, transporting oil from the west of Abu Dhabi to the eastern port of Fujairah, which Iran also threatened on Friday.
“Step on to Iranian soil, and $150 becomes the floor for oil,” Vice President Esmael Saghab Esfahani said. “Destruction of Fujairah and Yanbu are just our entry tickets.”
The warning came after US President Donald Trump for the second time extended a deadline for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its energy assets. The original ultimatum demanded action in 48 hours, which was extended by five days, and now by a further 10 days to April 6.
Trump said the Iranians wanted to “make a deal,” but Tehran showed no sign of complying. The Guards said the strait was closed to vessels traveling to and from “enemy ports,” and turned back three ships seeking to cross.
Attacks on the Gulf states continued. Iran launched six missiles toward Riyadh, of which four fell into the Gulf and on uninhabited areas, and two were intercepted.
In Kuwait, Mubarak Al Kabeer Port came under attack by drones and cruise missiles, which caused damage but no injuries. There were also warning alerts in Qatar and Bahrain.
Israel said it would expand attacks on Iran, and strikes hit two nuclear facilities: a heavy water reactor and a uranium processing plant.
