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Ghalibaf: 'If We Can't Sell Oil, No One Can'... Responding to Trump's Threats

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Iran's Parliament Speaker threatened to block oil sales for everyone if Iran cannot sell its own oil, responding to US threats.
  • He stated that if Iranian security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will be safe, and Strait of Hormuz security requires the absence of US forces.
  • This escalates tensions as the US has threatened to bomb Iranian infrastructure if ships are attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran's Parliament and former chief negotiator in the Iran-US nuclear deal, issued a stark warning: if Iran is prevented from selling its oil, no one else will be able to do so. This statement directly counters threats made by US President Donald Trump to bomb Iranian bridges and power plants in retaliation for any attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ghalibaf articulated the situation on X, stating, "The equation of this war is clear. It's 'all or none.' In the region where we cannot sell oil, no one will be able to sell oil. If our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will be safe, and the security of the strait is only possible without US forces."

The equation of this war is clear. It's 'either all or none.' In the region where we cannot sell oil, no one will be able to sell oil. If our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will be safe, and the security of the strait is only possible without US forces.

— Mohammad Bagher GhalibafIranian Parliament Speaker's statement on X, responding to US threats regarding oil sales and the Strait of Hormuz.

This implies that passage through the Strait of Hormuz will only be permitted if the US withdraws its forces and lifts maritime blockades on Iranian ports. Ghalibaf reiterated Iran's stance that the situation in the strait will not return to pre-war conditions, suggesting potential transit fees or tolls as compensation for strait management, even after the conflict ends.

The escalating rhetoric follows Trump's threats on Truth Social, where he declared that any attack on ships in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran would result in the US bombing a power plant or bridge in or near Tehran. This is a repeat of similar threats made earlier in the month. The exchange highlights a dangerous tit-for-tat dynamic, with the US continuing airstrikes on Iranian military targets for 12 consecutive days.

From this point on, every time the Islamic Republic of Iran attacks a ship in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, rockets, drones, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb one of the bridges or power plants inside or near Tehran.

— Donald TrumpUS President's threat on Truth Social in response to potential Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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