Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that any further attempt to block Tehran's oil exports through the Persian Gulf could trigger a military response, saying the fallout would extend to other countries.
“If the enemy's will is that we cannot export oil from the Persian Gulf, no one will be able to export oil,” Ghalibaf said on Tuesday, putting regional energy flows at the centre of Iran's confrontation with the US.
According to Clash Report, Ghalibaf said Iran would respond militarily if the blockade was tightened.
“If they intensify the blockade, we will definitely give a military response, and everyone will suffer,” he said.
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The Iranian speaker also accused the US of attempting to use the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz in violation of an agreement, saying Tehran would prevent such efforts.
Before the war, at least 120 vessels crossed the strategic waterway each day, Ghalibaf said. Current traffic of just one or two ships remains significantly below those levels, he added.
Ghalibaf claimed Iran's Armed Forces were challenging US efforts to move limited numbers of vessels through the strait and maintained full control over the waterway.
According to Clash Report, Ghalibaf also questioned repeated US assertions that Washington controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Americans falsely assure ships that they can safely pass through the strait, but those ships are then struck,” he said.
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Ghalibaf said Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until Washington fulfilled its obligations under a memorandum, warning that Tehran would resort to coercive measures if the US failed to comply.
Separately, Ghalibaf rejected claims that high gasoline consumption was primarily the result of public behaviour, instead pointing to industry.
He said conservation and reforms could help address the gasoline issue if implemented with public backing and designed to minimise pressure on households. Ghalibaf added that clear communication and effective implementation would be key to securing public support for such measures.
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