Iran points at tit for tat retaliation if power plants targeted, statement

DUBAI, March 23 (Reuters) - Iran will retaliate to an attack on its electricity sector by targeting Israel's power plants as well as power plants supplying U.S. bases with electricity in regional countries, a statement by the Revolutionary Guards on Monday said.

The statement seemingly retracted earlier threats to desalination plants in the region, which are crucial for providing drinking water in Gulf countries.

"The lying ... U.S. President has claimed that the Revolutionary Guards intends to attack the water desalination plants and cause hardship to the people of the countries in the region," the statement shared on state media said.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iranian power plants would be targeted if Tehran failed to "fully open" the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping within 48 hours.

"We are determined to respond to any threat at the same level as it creates in terms of deterrence ... If you hit electricity, we hit electricity," the Revolutionary Guards said.