Iran threatens 'earth-shattering blow' as WW3 fears skyrocket
Iran has threatened to deliver an "Earth-shattering blow" after condemning Germany for backing the Israel-US war last year, while also complaining that the conflict has piled more than €100 billion ($112 billion) onto their energy bills. The row stemmed from remarks made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in which he appeared to blame Iran for costing European countries billions in increased bills. Merz wrote on X: "We now have costs exceeding €100billion for Europe alone over the last eight months, solely because of the increase in energy prices caused by this conflict [with Iran]."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi quoted the post, saying: "When Israel-US bombings of Iran began last year, Mr Merz hailed them as 'Doing Europe's dirty work'. "€100 billion is nothing compared to the Earth-shattering blow Iran's powerful Armed Forces will deal against those who dare harm our people. Red lines are a thing of the past." Iran has held control over the Strait of Hormuz since early March as part of defensive measures taken in response to the war that broke out on 28 February, as per the Express US .
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article does not say that Araghchi was responding to Merz's remarks about the possibility of renewed US attacks on Iran. Without this, a reader takes the warning as an unprompted threat rather than a warning about what Iran would do if attacked again.
How we know
- Press TV reported“Araghchi was responding to recent remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the possibility of renewed US attacks on Iran”‘Red lines are a thing of the past’: Araghchi confronts Merz over previous endorsement of war on Iran (opens in a new tab)
While Merz appeared to throw his weight behind the conflict in its opening stages, the German Chancellor has since stated that his nation is actively working to bring hostilities to a close at the earliest opportunity. Speaking to reporters in Seoul, South Korea, Merz stressed that the Iran war needed to conclude as swiftly as possible given the significant financial burden it is placing on Europe. He confirmed that Germany was stepping up and coordinating diplomatic efforts to end the war, while emphasising that the "conflict cannot be resolved militarily".
"Businesses and consumers in Europe have paid more than 100billion euros extra because energy has become more expensive as a result of this conflict," the Chancellor said. "We therefore also have an economic interest in bringing this conflict to an end as quickly as possible," he added. Merz has consistently cautioned against letting the conflict drag on into a drawn-out war, contending that the collapse of the Iranian state or spiralling instability throughout the region would carry grave repercussions for Europe's security, energy supplies and migration.
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