Conflict – Iran Signals Prolonged Fight as Tensions Rise Over Gulf Oil Routes
Conflict – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that his country is ready to continue its military campaign for as long as necessary, challenging recent remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting the conflict could end in the near future. His comments came amid renewed military activity in the region, as Iran launched another round of attacks targeting areas linked to US allies in the Gulf.
Iran Signals No Immediate End to Military Operations
Speaking in an interview with PBS News, Araghchi indicated that Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared for sustained confrontation. According to him, missile strikes launched by Iranian forces will continue if the situation demands it.
He said Iran has the capacity and readiness to keep responding militarily, adding that the country’s defense systems and missile forces are already in place to maintain pressure during the ongoing conflict. The foreign minister’s remarks suggested that Tehran does not expect the confrontation to end quickly.
His statement directly contradicted recent comments from Washington, where President Trump said the fighting could conclude soon.
Tehran Rejects Possibility of Talks With Washington
Araghchi also dismissed the possibility of diplomatic negotiations with the United States. Referring to earlier attempts at dialogue, he said Iran had experienced difficult outcomes during previous discussions with American officials.
He recalled that past negotiations coincided with military actions by the United States, which he described as a negative experience for Tehran. Because of this history, he suggested that reopening talks with Washington is not currently under consideration.
The rejection of diplomacy indicates that political channels between the two countries remain largely closed during the ongoing crisis.
Revolutionary Guards Warn on Oil Exports
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued its own warning regarding the continuation of the conflict. IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said Iranian forces would prevent oil shipments from the region reaching countries aligned with the United States and Israel while hostilities continue.
According to a report carried by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Naini stated that the armed forces would block any oil exports destined for what Tehran considers hostile partners. He added that decisions regarding shipping routes would depend on how the conflict develops.
The statement highlighted the growing risk to global energy supplies as tensions in the Gulf region intensify.
Trump Says Conflict Could End Soon
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump told reporters during a news conference in Florida that the fighting would likely end in the near future. He also warned that if the conflict restarted after a ceasefire, the response from the United States would be far stronger.
Trump described the current military campaign as a limited operation and told US lawmakers earlier that the mission was intended to remain short in duration.
His remarks appeared to calm financial markets that had reacted sharply to the outbreak of fighting. Stock markets in Tokyo and Seoul rebounded after earlier declines, while oil prices retreated from recent highs.
Oil Markets React to Rising Regional Risks
Oil markets have been extremely sensitive to developments in the conflict. Prices surged above 100 dollars per barrel earlier this week, reaching levels not seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
However, prices eased slightly after the US president suggested the conflict might soon come to an end.
Despite that decline, concerns remain high because of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil shipments normally pass through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets.
Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Increase Global Concerns
Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has already been affected by the conflict. Several reports indicate that Iranian forces have targeted oil tankers traveling through the area since the fighting began.
The disruption has raised fears of wider economic consequences, particularly for countries heavily dependent on Gulf energy supplies.
Iranian officials argue that any attempts to stabilize oil prices during wartime conditions will have limited success, emphasizing that commercial activity in the region depends heavily on security conditions.
Diplomatic Pressure on Foreign Governments
Late on Monday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also called on foreign governments to expel American and Israeli ambassadors from their territories. According to Iranian state television, the Guards said such steps could allow safe passage for ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement added a diplomatic dimension to the conflict, suggesting Tehran may attempt to influence international relations in the region as the confrontation continues.
The ongoing situation has raised concerns among global leaders about the risk of a prolonged conflict that could affect energy markets, regional stability, and international shipping routes.