Ghalibaf Threatens Retaliation Against US Energy Interests in Region
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued a stern warning to the United States over regional energy infrastructure. In a post on X, he quoted US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as saying that American ships would target Iranian oil tankers if Iran attacked them.
Ghalibaf responded by stating that any U.S. attacks on Iranian assets would expose American energy interests in the region to retaliation. He emphasized that Iran's response to attacks would no longer be limited to proportional retaliation, but instead would respond more quickly and with greater force to any future strikes.
The remarks come amid heightened military tensions between Iran and the United States. Ghalibaf has also stated that a previously discussed ceasefire is 'meaningless' due to what he described as U.S. violations.
The Kharg Island, which serves as the main hub for nearly 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, has been periodically targeted by US forces in recent times. The island is located about 26 kilometers off Iran's coast and approximately 483 kilometers northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.