Iran Warns of Long War with US, Says Only Economic Pain Can End Conflict
A senior Iranian official has issued a stark warning that Iran is fully prepared for a long-term war with the United States, explicitly ruling out any diplomatic solutions for the foreseeable future. In a recent CNN interview conducted in Tehran, Kamal Kharazi, who serves as the foreign policy adviser to the office of the Supreme Leader, emphasized that the conflict will only conclude through significant economic pain inflicted on the global stage.
Hardening Stance and Regional Attacks
Kharazi signaled a clear hardening of Iran's position on the tenth day of the ongoing conflict, stating that the government is willing to continue its attacks on Gulf countries. The objective behind these strikes is to persuade these nations to intervene and convince US President Donald Trump to de-escalate the situation. "I don't see any room for diplomacy anymore," Kharazi told CNN on Monday. "Because Donald Trump had been deceiving others and not keeping with his promises, and we experienced this in two times of negotiations – that while we were engaged in negotiation, they struck us."
He elaborated that the war must generate substantial economic pressure, such as inflation and energy shortages, to compel other countries to step in. "There's no room unless the economic pressure would be built up to the extent that other countries would intervene to guarantee the termination of aggression of Americans and Israelis against Iran," Kharazi said, directly implicating Gulf Arab nations and others in the need to pressure the US.
Impact on Global Energy Markets
Since the initiation of the war by the US and Israel, Iran has launched a series of strikes across the Middle East. Tehran claims these attacks target US interests in Gulf nations, but they have also repeatedly hit residential buildings and airports, exacerbating regional instability. These Iranian strikes have severely disrupted the global energy trade, exploiting vulnerabilities in infrastructure and transit routes.
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly collapsed, leading to crude oil prices surging past $100 a barrel on Monday. This spike has rattled consumer wallets and caused significant turmoil in stock markets worldwide. According to historical data from Rapidan Energy Group, an estimated 20% of the world's oil supply has been disrupted by the conflict, which is roughly twice the record set during the Suez Crisis of 1956-1957.
Moreover, the war has not only derailed the flow of oil from the region but has also effectively eliminated the "spare capacity" that typically acts as a shock absorber in energy markets. Spare capacity refers to the amount of additional oil production that could be quickly brought online if needed, and its depletion heightens global energy insecurity.
Military Escalation and Leadership Changes
A spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) revealed on Sunday that Iran is currently utilizing 60% of its firepower to attack US bases and "strategic interests" in the region. This aggressive military posture is further underscored by recent leadership changes within Iran.
Over the weekend, Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was elevated to the country's highest post. This move is widely interpreted as an indication that further escalation is likely. When asked if the Iranian military and the supreme leadership are aligned moving forward, Kharazi confirmed, "Yes, exactly." He added, "The responsibility of the leader of Islamic Republic of Iran is to lead the defense capability of Iran, and therefore, as Ayatollah Khamenei was doing that, now the new leader would do that."
In response to these developments, President Trump stated last week that Khamenei's appointment as his father's successor would be "unacceptable" to him. Kharazi dismissed this concern, asserting, "That is not his business." This exchange highlights the deepening rift and lack of diplomatic channels between the two nations.
The situation remains highly volatile, with Iran's leadership firmly committed to a protracted conflict unless external economic pressures force a resolution. The global community, particularly Gulf countries, faces increasing pressure to mediate as energy markets reel from the ongoing disruptions.
