Global
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, escalated his rhetoric, warning of a decisive military response should the American blockade on Iranian ports intensify. In a video statement published today, Tuesday, Qalibaf affirmed that "Iran will certainly respond militarily if Washington tightens its blockade." He clarified that "an American move to prevent oil exports from the Gulf would lead to no other party being able to export it." The head of the Iranian Shura Council also indicated that the United States is seeking to cross the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, contrary to the memorandum of understanding, stressing that Tehran will not permit this. Qalibaf described Washington's attempts to pass ships through the strait as akin to "thieves and smugglers," asserting that they face "resistance from the Iranian armed forces." He added that "full control over the Strait of Hormuz is in the hands of Iranian forces." Qalibaf questioned the necessity for the United States to repeatedly bomb Iranian islands if it truly controls the strait, noting that false American assurances to ships regarding safe passage lead to them being struck. This comes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had previously affirmed that his country would adhere to the memorandum of understanding if the United States also abided by it.
