Iran Issues Ultimatum: Gulf Oil Exports Hinge on Iranian Security

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued an ultimatum to Gulf oil exporting states, warning that if Iran cannot export its oil freely, none of them will. This comes as a direct challenge to the foundational premise of the American security architecture in the region.

Ghalibaf stated that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war status without the withdrawal of US forces from the area. He emphasized that Iran's security must be guaranteed, or no infrastructure will be safe, including oil terminals, refineries, and port facilities.

This declaration represents the most direct Iranian threat to Gulf oil exports since the conflict began in February 2026. The statement also contradicts the optimistic framing of the Iran-Oman negotiations on the Strait of Hormuz, which had suggested a possible temporary corridor announcement was imminent.