Ho Chi Minh Times

Thursday, Jul 17, 2025

Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities

Israel threatens to target Iran’s oil refineries if attacked; offers to spare them if nuclear sites are destroyed without reprisal
Israel has delivered a direct ultimatum to Iran, warning that any Iranian attack on Israeli territory would trigger retaliatory strikes on Iran’s oil refining infrastructure.

According to Israeli officials, the threat is based on the current vulnerability of Iranian airspace, which they describe as 'completely open and unprotected.' The ultimatum presents Iran’s leadership with a binary choice: respond to a possible Israeli strike on nuclear facilities and risk the destruction of its refining sector, or allow such operations to proceed without significant retaliation and preserve its economic infrastructure.

The development follows heightened tensions in the region, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme, which Israel has long opposed.

Israeli authorities reiterated their stance that Iran's nuclear activities pose a threat to regional and international security.

Iran has continued to enrich uranium amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and periodic international inspections.

The Israeli statement comes amid reports of expanded aerial surveillance and military preparedness in the region.

Israeli officials did not confirm whether an operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities is imminent but indicated that all necessary operational and diplomatic preparations are being assessed.

Iran has not publicly responded to the ultimatum.

However, the statement adds pressure to ongoing international negotiations aimed at limiting nuclear proliferation and stabilising relations between regional powers.

The situation is being closely monitored by major global actors, including the United States, European Union, and Gulf nations, all of whom have urged restraint and continued dialogue.
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