Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Iran has issued a strong rebuttal to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump about the ongoing conflict, asserting that the timeline and conclusion of the war will be determined solely by Tehran and not by Washington.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Iran’s armed forces now hold the decisive role in shaping the future of the region. The military body stressed that external powers would not dictate when hostilities involving American and Israeli targets would end.
“We will decide when this war concludes,” the statement said, adding that the region’s strategic balance had shifted as Iranian forces continued their operations.
Trump signals escalation if oil routes threatened
Trump had earlier suggested that the conflict in Iran might end soon, describing the military campaign as a limited mission aimed at addressing security threats. However, he also warned that any disruption to global oil flows would provoke a far stronger response from the United States.
In a post on social media, Trump warned that if Iran interfered with shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. would retaliate with significantly heavier strikes.
The narrow channel is among the world’s most critical oil routes, carrying a large share of global crude supplies.
Oil markets react to rising tensions
The war has already rattled energy markets, with crude prices briefly surging to levels not seen since 2022. Investors reacted strongly after Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the early days of the conflict.
The leadership change has been widely interpreted as a sign that Iran may adopt a tougher stance in the ongoing confrontation with the United States and Israel.
Diplomatic channels still active
Amid the growing tensions, diplomatic conversations are continuing. Trump recently spoke with Vladimir Putin about possible ways to bring the conflict to a negotiated end.
According to Russian officials, Putin suggested exploring political and diplomatic solutions after consulting leaders from Gulf countries as well as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Meanwhile, concerns remain high over the safety of shipping lanes and oil infrastructure across the Gulf region, as several vessels near the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly been targeted since the waterway was effectively blocked during the conflict.
With global energy supplies and regional stability at stake, governments worldwide are closely monitoring developments as the war enters a critical phase.
