Iran threatens US-Israeli economic and banking interests in region — warns public to avoid banks

Iran's Khatam ol Anbia joint military command spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari issued a direct threat against US and Israeli economic and banking infrastructure across the region on Day 12. 'Following their failed campaign, the terrorist US army and cruel Zionist regime have targeted one of the country's banks,' Zolfaqari said via state media. 'With this illegitimate and uncommon action, the enemy is forcing our hand to target economic centers and banks linked to the US and Zionist regime in the region.' Zolfaqari warned civilians across the region to stay away from banks. The threat to target banks and financial institutions represents a significant escalation in Iran's stated targeting doctrine. Combined with the Dubai airport drone attack and earlier strikes on Gulf refineries, Iran appears to be systematically threatening the full spectrum of Gulf economic infrastructure: oil production, aviation, banking, and financial services. US and Israeli-affiliated banks operate across the GCC — Citibank, JPMorgan, HSBC (UK-aligned), and Israeli correspondent banking networks. The public warning to avoid banks is a psychological warfare tactic designed to trigger bank runs and economic disruption even before any strike occurs.