Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that Tehran—not Washington—would decide how and when the ongoing conflict comes to an end, issuing a sharp rebuttal to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump. The response followed contrasting statements by Trump regarding the war’s timeline. In media interactions earlier in the day, he suggested the conflict was “pretty much” complete and progressing faster than expected, claiming Iran’s naval, air and communications capabilities had been severely degraded. Hours later, while addressing Republican lawmakers, he adopted a firmer stance, saying the United States had “not won enough” and that operations would continue until Iran was “totally and decisively defeated.”
Iranian state media reported that an IRGC spokesperson dismissed Trump’s comments and asserted that Tehran alone would determine the conclusion of the war. The spokesperson warned that if US and Israeli attacks persisted, Iran would block the export of “even one litre of oil” from the region. The statement underscored the strategic weight of energy corridors in the conflict and signalled that any escalation could disrupt oil shipments across the Gulf, a development with serious implications for global energy markets. The IRGC further cautioned that regional security would be “for everyone or for no one,” indicating that instability could widen beyond immediate battle zones.
These warnings came amid intensified strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure. Iranian officials said multiple oil depots in Tehran and neighbouring Alborz province were hit over the weekend, igniting large fires and sending heavy smoke across the capital. Authorities acknowledged temporary disruptions to fuel distribution in Tehran province but said supply networks were expected to stabilise within a few days.
Iranian officials also indicated preparations for a prolonged confrontation. An IRGC representative stated that the country has stockpiled ballistic and cruise missiles, drones and maritime strike assets, claiming the capacity to sustain high-intensity operations for months if required. The spokesperson added that new tactics and longer-range missile systems could be introduced as the conflict evolves.
Humanitarian agencies within Iran reported significant civilian and infrastructure damage since the hostilities began. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, more than a thousand people have been killed and thousands of residential and commercial structures have been affected, highlighting the widening domestic impact as the conflict continues.
