Iran has warned that the United States will “regret” launching war against the Islamic Republic, while threatening to maintain a Hormuz oil blockade that could disrupt global energy supply.
Iranian security chief Ali Larijani issued the warning on Thursday, saying the country would not back down until Washington feels the consequences of its actions. He said starting a war might be easy, but ending it would not be as simple as statements made on social media.
His remarks came as tensions escalated following United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered fears of wider instability across the Middle East and the possibility of a prolonged Hormuz oil blockade.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, also called for stronger retaliation in his first message since assuming leadership after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in an air strike. His message, read on state television, emphasised that blocking the strategic Strait of Hormuz should be used as leverage in the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, handling roughly a fifth of global oil supply, and any disruption could have major consequences for international markets.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy commander, Alireza Tangsiri, said the military was ready to deliver what he described as the “harshest blows” to the aggressor while enforcing the Hormuz oil blockade.
The escalating conflict has already pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel, raising fears of a major energy crisis and global economic instability.
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United States President Donald Trump, however, insisted that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was more important than rising oil prices, describing Tehran as an “evil empire” that must be stopped.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said the country was acting in self-defence and was open to ending the conflict if a broader agreement could guarantee that such a war would not be imposed on Iran again.
The war has also spread across the region, with attacks reported in Gulf countries including Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where drones have struck energy and infrastructure targets.
Analysts warn the conflict could turn into a prolonged war of attrition between Iran, the United States and their allies, with serious implications for global security, oil markets and economic stability.