US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Iran has explicitly threatened American energy assets, warning that US oil and gas companies operating in the region are heavily exposed to retaliatory strikes. The warning was issued on Monday by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf via a post on X. It comes directly in response to a statement by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who vowed that Washington would “destroy and sink” Iran’s oil tanker fleet if Tehran targets American vessels.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Points of the Escalation
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The Threat to US Energy: Ghalibaf stated that the regional oil and gas production chain is “sprawling, accessible, and exposed,” warning, “Strike our assets, and you get struck.” He claimed Iran has already proven its capabilities, telling the US to “ask the bases that are no longer viable,” though he did not provide evidence or specify which bases he meant.
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Hegseth’s Original Warning: Over the weekend, Hegseth declared Iran’s tanker fleet to be “defenseless” against US aircraft, ships, and submarines. He posted on X: “It’s simple: if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy.”
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Preceding Military Action: Hegseth’s threats followed targeted strikes by US Central Command that disabled three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island. The US carried out those strikes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships. No American personnel were harmed in that exchange.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Wider Context & Economic Impact
The back-and-forth threats mark a serious escalation in the ongoing maritime conflict, which has seen both sides battling for control over the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint vital to global energy supplies.
Due to a US naval blockade, dozens of fully laden Iranian tankers remain trapped at anchor near Kharg Island. The friction has made global markets highly volatile; the average price of a gallon of diesel in the US recently surged to $5.85, up from $3.71 a year ago, adding immense pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Battle of the Tankers
The recent exchange of threats stems from an intense kinetic confrontation over the weekend:
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The IRGC Missile Attack: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships—including an aircraft carrier and a guided-missile destroyer. The US military reported that its vessels successfully evaded the strikes with zero American casualties.
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The US Counterstrike: In immediate retaliation, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed targeted airstrikes that struck three Iranian crude oil tankers.
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The Damage: According to CENTCOM, two tankers were “permanently disabled”—one off Kharg Island (Iran’s main export hub) and another near Jask. A third unladen vessel, the M/T Kylo, was completely sunk in the Gulf of Oman.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Hegseth’s “Defenseless Fleet” Doctrine
Following the strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared CENTCOM footage of the burning tankers on X. He accompanied it with an explicit warning, noting that Iran has no meaningful navy or air force left to protect its commercial interests.
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The Ultimatum: Hegseth stated: “It’s simple: if Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at @USNavy.”
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Indefinite Blockade: This follows Hegseth’s earlier policy statements asserting that the US Navy has the logistical capacity to maintain its naval blockade on Iranian ports “indefinitely” by continuously rotating forces.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Iran’s Asymmetric Counter-Threat
Iran’s response, delivered by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, signals a shift to asymmetric warfare. Recognizing that its own tanker fleet is vulnerable, Tehran is leveraging the geography of the Persian Gulf to target Western economic infrastructure.
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Exposed Energy Supply Chains: Ghalibaf explicitly warned that US energy giants operating in the Gulf are soft targets, stating: “The oil and gas production chain here is sprawling, accessible, and exposed. American oil and gas companies across these waters and facilities share that exposure.”
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The “Everyone or No One” Rule: Iranian officials have reiterated a hardline doctrine for the Strait of Hormuz: if US blockades prevent Iran from selling its oil, Tehran will ensure that no other nation can safely export energy through the region either.
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Psychological Warfare: Ghalibaf paired his warnings on social media with a graphic stating, “The lost decade of the US economy is coming,” threatening to drag the US into a deep recession through energy disruption.
US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Regional and Economic Fallout
The threat of a prolonged conflict in the world’s most vital energy chokepoint has sent shockwaves through international markets:
Global crude oil prices quickly climbed toward $97 a barrel. In the US, the domestic impact is severe, with average diesel prices hitting $5.85 per gallon—a massive spike from $3.71 just a year ago.
In response to the crisis, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced plans to bypass traditional shipping lanes by establishing a newly restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz and designating alternative routes in coordination with Oman.
Beyond the sea lanes, the broader geopolitical friction continues to flare, with reports of retaliatory theater strikes extending into neighboring countries like Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
