Qalibaf Warns Regional Oil Exports Could Halt Without Iranian Sales
“The US and other countries should know, as we have said, that in a region where we cannot sell oil, no one will sell oil,” Qalibaf said.
His remarks come as Iran faces severe restrictions on its oil trade amid escalating tensions with Washington and continuing US sanctions.
Iran’s Central Bank governor said in August that the country’s crude exports had fallen to zero, attributing the halt to the conflict and sanctions.
The US military said Sept. 19 that more than 1 billion barrels of crude had moved through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months with US military support. Washington has also claimed that Iran had exported “zero barrels” under what it describes as an “ironclad blockade.”
“If our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will be safe,” Ghalibaf said.
Earlier this month, Qalibaf warned that US energy facilities and assets across the Gulf region and around the Strait of Hormuz could become targets for Iranian retaliation if Washington attacked Iranian oil and gas infrastructure.
He also addressed recent comments by US President Donald Trump regarding the strategic waterway and vessel traffic, saying they repeated previous US positions.
Trump on Saturday rejected an Iranian proposal to restore normal commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. He said Tehran’s conditions were unacceptable and claimed Washington already had “total control” over the waterway.
Under Iran’s proposal, the US would release frozen Iranian funds, remove oil-related sanctions and end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran would then take steps toward reopening the strait, followed by negotiations on a broader agreement.
Tehran has maintained restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz while calling on Washington to honor commitments contained in a memorandum of understanding signed in June. Iran says full reopening of the waterway depends on the fulfillment of its conditions and implementation of US commitments.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that Qatari mediators would deliver new proposals to Washington following discussions with Tehran on meeting the conditions required to reopen the strait.
Qalibaf also warned the US against increasing pressure on Iran, saying Tehran would not back down in response to what he called “air or commercial blockades.”
“The leaders of the White House should know that Iran, a wise nation that has made history, will never retreat because of lines being drawn, speeches, or air or commercial blockades,” Qalibaf said.
He added that Iran’s reaction to “any threat or adventurism” would be “regrettable and swift.”
The latest comments come as Washington has extended economic pressure on Iran beyond the energy and maritime sectors to include civil aviation.
In February, the US and Israel launched a conflict with Iran, which responded by striking Israeli and US targets in the region. A ceasefire was subsequently reached in April.
Washington and Tehran later signed a June memorandum of understanding addressing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, implementation has stalled amid disagreements over security arrangements in the strategic waterway as tensions between the two sides remain high.
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