IRGC warns attacks on US banks in Gulf region will expand if more Iranian banks are targeted

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning on Saturday, stating that if more Iranian banks are attacked, the strikes on American bank branches in the Gulf region could increase. This information was reported by Press TV. Naeini explained that the Iranian attacks on US bank branches in nearby countries were a reaction to recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian bank facilities earlier this week, which had briefly interrupted banking services in Iran. In an interview with Sepah News, also reported by Press TV, Naeini stated that all US bank branches in the region would become valid targets for Iran if "the enemy repeats its mistake" with further attacks on Iranian banks. This statement comes as Iran consistently warns of retaliating against US or Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure. Iranian officials have suggested that their responses could aim at US interests throughout the region, especially in the Arab nations of the Persian Gulf, where American businesses have grown in recent years. Press TV noted that earlier this week, two Iranian banks were attacked, including Bank Sepah, the oldest and largest bank in the country. These assaults resulted in the deaths of several employees and caused significant disruptions to both online and offline banking for hours. Analysts mentioned by Press TV believe that the US-Israeli strikes on civilian targets seem designed to disturb everyday life in Iran and foster local discontent. The current tensions started on February 28 when US-Israeli airstrikes killed high-ranking Iranian officials and military leaders. Since then, Iranian forces have conducted daily missile and drone strikes on Israeli-held areas and US military bases in the region. Additionally, Press TV reported that the IRGC has advised that US-affiliated industrial sites in the region should be evacuated due to what it called a cowardly change in enemy tactics. This warning came after recent attacks over the last 48 hours that resulted in the deaths of several civilian workers at non-military factories.