Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has firmly stated that Tehran, not the United States, will decide when military actions against American and Israeli targets cease.
The IRGC’s response directly addressed US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting the conflict in Iran would end soon.
IRGC’s defiant statement
“It is we who will determine the end of the war,” the IRGC said in a statement.
“The equations and future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces; American forces will not end the war,” it added.
This came after Trump described the operation as a “little excursion” to eliminate “some evil,” predicting it would be short-term.
Trump told Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami: “We took a little excursion to the Middle East to get rid of some evil. And, I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion.”
Trump’s warnings on oil disruption
Hours later, Trump posted on social media that if Iran disrupts oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would respond “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” than before.
He added: “Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!”
Trump described the action as a “gift” to China and other nations reliant on the strait, hoping it would be appreciated.
The ongoing war has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies, driving fuel prices higher across the US.
Oil prices briefly reached their highest since 2022 after Iran selected Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader, seen as a sign of resolve ten days into the US-Israeli launched conflict.
Prices later eased, with US stocks rising on hopes the war may end soon.
Regional impacts and diplomatic moves
The conflict has affected Gulf energy infrastructure critical to the world economy.
Diplomatic efforts focus on the Strait of Hormuz, blocked to nearly all oil tankers, sending shockwaves through global markets.
French President Emmanuel Macron said his country and allies are pursuing a “purely defensive” mission to reopen the strait, through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil normally passes.
About 10 vessels in or near the Iran-controlled strait have faced attacks since Tehran blocked the waterway in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, according to AFP reports.
Global shipping firm MSC has halted some export shipments from the Gulf, with goods on ships to be unloaded.
Following strikes on Bahrain’s Al Ma’ameer oil facility that sparked a fire, Bapco declared force majeure, joining similar moves by Qatar and Kuwait energy firms.
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported thwarting a drone attack on an eastern oil field near the Emirati border on Monday.
Trump also held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the war, with Putin’s adviser Yuri Ushakov noting ideas for a quick political and diplomatic settlement after talks with Gulf leaders and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
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