Iran issued a defiant threat on Tuesday, vowing that "not a single drop of oil" will leave the Middle East "until further notice." This sharp escalation appears to be a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claims that the war would end "soon."
اضافة اعلان
Tehran's Hardline Stance
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed that Tehran is prepared to continue missile strikes "as long as necessary," stating that negotiations with the U.S. are "no longer on the table."
Simultaneously, IRGC spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini declared: "The Iranian Armed Forces will not allow a single liter of oil to be exported from the region to the enemy and its partners until further notice." He added that any change in this policy would depend on the evolving conditions of the conflict, asserting that Iran alone will "determine the end of the war."
The IRGC also urged regional nations to expel U.S. and Israeli ambassadors in exchange for allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Conflicting Narratives: "Breaking Bones" vs. "Ending Soon"
The Iranian rhetoric stands in stark contrast to President Trump’s recent statements in Miami, where he suggested the military operation was ahead of schedule and would conclude shortly. However, Trump maintained his signature mixed signaling, threatening "much harsher strikes" if Iran continues to hold the world hostage by disrupting the Strait of Hormuz—through which one-fifth of global oil and LNG passes.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a more aggressive tone, stating the war is "not over yet" and that ongoing strikes are "breaking the bones" of the Iranian regime.
Market Reaction: A Momentary Sigh of Relief
Despite the verbal escalation, global markets showed signs of recovery following the previous day's panic:
Oil Prices: Dropped 5% at the end of Asian trading.
European Gas: Fell by 15%.
Stock Markets: Major European indices (Paris, Frankfurt, London) opened with gains between 1.29% and 2.04%, following a rebound in Asian markets (Seoul +5.35%, Tokyo +2.88%).
Analysts attribute this volatility to the deep uncertainty and contradictory statements coming from all sides of the conflict.
Field Developments & Military Toll
The conflict continues to expand across multiple fronts:
Interceptions & Deployments: Turkey has deployed Patriot defense systems following NATO’s interception of two Iranian ballistic missiles in Turkish airspace.
Regional Strikes: Israel conducted airstrikes in Tyre, Lebanon, while the IRGC claimed responsibility for targeting a U.S. base in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Toll of "10 Days": The U.S. reported striking over 5,000 targets in 10 days, including more than 50 Iranian vessels. According to Iranian reports, the U.S.-Israeli campaign has resulted in over 1,200 deaths since it began on February 28, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
(Source: AFP)
