Iran’s Ghalibaf: If We Cannot Export Gulf Oil, No One Will

Iranian Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Tuesday that any attempt to prevent Tehran from exporting oil through the Persian Gulf would trigger measures designed to stop other countries from doing the same.

“If the enemy's will is that we cannot export oil from the Persian Gulf, no one will be able to export oil,” Ghalibaf said, placing regional energy flows at the center of Iran’s confrontation with the U.S.

He added that a further tightening of the blockade would draw a military response. “If they intensify the blockade, we will definitely give a military response, and everyone will suffer.”

Hormuz Access Dispute

Ghalibaf said the U.S. was seeking to use the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz in breach of an agreement and that Iran would prevent it.

He said at least 120 vessels had crossed the strait each day before the war. Current traffic of one or two ships, he argued, remained far below that level.

Ghalibaf said U.S. efforts to move limited numbers of vessels through the waterway were being challenged by Iran’s Armed Forces, which he said retained full control of the strait.

He also questioned repeated U.S. assertions that Washington controlled the passage, pointing to attacks on Iranian islands and continued efforts to assure commercial vessels that transit was safe.

“The Americans falsely assure ships that they can safely pass through the strait, but those ships are then struck,” he said.

Reopening Tied to U.S. Commitments

Ghalibaf said Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until Washington met its obligations under a memorandum.

He said Iran would resort to coercive measures if the U.S. failed to comply with those commitments.

The warning reinforced his broader position that pressure on Iranian exports would not remain confined to Tehran’s own energy trade.

Gasoline Policy at Home

Separately, Ghalibaf rejected claims that the public was responsible for high gasoline consumption, placing the responsibility on industry instead.

He said conservation and reform could address the gasoline issue, provided measures were implemented with public backing and designed to limit pressure on households.

Ghalibaf said effective policy depended on clear communication and proper implementation, arguing that the public would support measures when decisions were handled well.