Iran warns it may target financial institutions: "Those who buy blood‐stained U.S. Treasuries are fair game"

According to The Financial News, the Islamic Republic of Iran, which received a "48-hour final ultimatum" from the United States of America (USA), has warned that it could expand its range of targets. Tehran argues that financial institutions holding U.S. Treasuries are effectively providing funds to the U.S. military and therefore constitute legitimate targets.
Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, a hardliner known domestically and the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, posted a message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on the 22nd (local time). He asserted, "In addition to military bases, financial organizations that contribute to the budget of the U.S. military are also legitimate targets." He continued, "U.S. Treasuries are stained with the blood of Iranians. If you buy them, you are purchasing the bombs that will fall on your own headquarters and assets," adding, "We will be watching your portfolios. This is the final warning."
According to multinational data and analysis firm Visual Capitalist, as of November last year Japan held the largest amount of U.S. Treasuries among non-U.S. countries. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) ranked second, followed by China in third place. The Republic of Korea (ROK) was 18th. Among Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia ranked 17th, with the State of Israel in 20th place.
The message is seen as a warning aimed more at financial institutions than at specific countries. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the Strait of Hormuz—through which about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes—on his social media platform Truth Social on the 21st. He declared, "If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz without any threats within the next 48 hours, the United States will obliterate Iran’s various power plants, starting with its largest power plant."
A spokesperson for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces told the semi-official Tasnim News Agency on the 22nd, "If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy, IT and desalination infrastructure in the region that is owned by the United States and its regime will become targets." He also signaled that companies with U.S. shareholders would be subject to attack. On the 20th, the Iranian military had already warned that not only military facilities but also popular tourist destinations would be targeted.
Since the United States and the State of Israel began attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran on the 28th of last month, Tehran has launched missiles and drones at U.S. assets in pro-U.S. countries across the Middle East. On the 21st, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. think tank, reported that U.S. military bases in the Middle East suffered about 800 million dollars (approximately 1.2052 trillion won) in damage from Iranian attacks during the first two weeks of the conflict, with a large portion of the losses occurring in the first week.
According to The Washington Post (WP) on the 22nd, the Iranian Ministry of Health stated that about 1,500 people, including 208 children, have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities. The Ministry of Health in Lebanon reported at least 1,029 deaths. The U.S. military has recorded 13 fatalities, while the State of Israel has reported at least 19 deaths.
The United States Department of State (State Department) issued a statement on the 22nd announcing a security alert for Americans worldwide. The State Department said, "All Americans around the world, especially those in the Middle East, must exercise heightened caution," and added, "Americans overseas should follow the security guidance issued by the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate." It further noted, "U.S. diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, are becoming targets of attack," and warned, "Groups that support Iran may attempt to strike other U.S. assets abroad or locations associated with the United States or U.S. citizens."

pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter