Tehran: Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated further after Iranian military leaders firmly rejected comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the ongoing war could soon come to an end.
In a strong statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tehran alone would decide when military operations against American and Israeli targets would stop. The force added that the balance of power in the region was now in the hands of Iran’s armed units.
“It is we who will determine the end of the war,” the IRGC said, emphasising that foreign powers would not dictate the timeline of the conflict.
Trump warns of stronger retaliation
Trump had earlier indicated that the war could be short-lived but warned that any attempt by Iran to disrupt global oil supplies would trigger a far stronger response from Washington. Speaking to Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami, the U.S. president said the campaign in the Middle East was intended to eliminate threats quickly.
In a social media message posted later, Trump cautioned that if Iran interfered with oil shipments passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the United States would retaliate “twenty times harder.”
The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical energy routes, carrying nearly one-fifth of global crude oil supplies.
Leadership change in Tehran
The sharp exchange of statements comes days after Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the early phase of the war.
The leadership transition has been interpreted by analysts as a signal that Tehran is preparing for a prolonged confrontation rather than seeking an immediate settlement.
Global concerns over oil and shipping
The conflict has also disrupted key energy infrastructure across the Gulf region. Several oil facilities have been targeted, and tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly.
Energy companies in countries such as Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait have warned that the instability could affect export commitments.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation. Vladimir Putin reportedly discussed the situation with Trump and suggested exploring a political settlement after consultations with Gulf leaders and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
French President Emmanuel Macron also indicated that international partners were considering a defensive mission aimed at restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite these diplomatic moves, continued attacks on shipping vessels and energy facilities highlight the fragile situation in the region, with markets and governments closely watching how the conflict unfolds.
