Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned Tuesday that Tehran had “not even started” in its Hormuz standoff with the United States. His warning came as tensions rose over shipping through the Gulf waterway.
Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s parliament speaker, posted the remarks on X. He said the current maritime situation was “intolerable for America.” He also accused the US and its allies of endangering shipping security.
The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman. It is one of the world’s most important oil routes. About 20 per cent of global oil trade passes through it, along with fertiliser and other commodities.
The warning followed conflicting accounts of clashes and attacks on Monday. The US said its forces escorted ships through the strait under “Project Freedom” and destroyed several Iranian boats. Iran denied any successful crossings and accused US forces of targeting civilian vessels.
Maersk said the US-flagged Alliance Fairfax exited the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz with US military support. Iran disputed that account.
The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of a “dangerous escalation” after a drone strike hit an energy installation in Fujairah. Iranian state media said Tehran had no “pre-planned programme” to attack UAE oil facilities.
South Korea said an engine-room explosion and fire damaged its merchant ship, HMM Namu, in the strait. The crew reported no injuries. The British maritime security agency, UKMTO, said attackers had attacked two ships off the UAE coast.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the latest events showed there was no military solution to the crisis. He also warned the US and UAE against entering a “quagmire.”
Araghchi travelled to Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Chinese officials. Iran’s foreign ministry said the talks would cover bilateral, regional and international developments.
