Tehran, September 7, 2026: Iran on Monday warned the United States that any further attacks on its assets would invite retaliation, as tensions over shipping and energy supplies in the Gulf pushed oil prices to six-week highs.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the region’s energy infrastructure remained vulnerable to further escalation, warning that US oil and gas companies operating in the area shared the same exposure.
“Strike our assets and you get struck,” Qalibaf said in a post on X, referring to recent exchanges of attacks between Iran and the United States.
The warning came after US and Iranian strikes on shipping over the weekend raised concerns about further disruptions to global energy supplies.
Senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei said on Sunday that Tehran would announce plans for a new restricted zone in the Gulf and approve maps for a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has restricted traffic through the strategic waterway since the war with the United States began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global route for oil and gas shipments.
Rezaei said the proposed restricted zone would begin where the US naval blockade of Iran starts and extend into parts of the Gulf. Ships entering the zone would be placed on an Iranian sanctions list, he said.
“We will only commit to the Strait of Hormuz being open when they [the Americans] stop the sabotage, threats and attacks on Iran,” Rezaei said.
The latest threats followed remarks by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth describing Iran’s oil tanker fleet as “defenceless”.
US President Donald Trump has yet to achieve the objectives announced when he launched “Operation Epic Fury” in February, including ending Iran’s nuclear programme, restricting its ability to attack neighbouring countries and creating conditions for a change in leadership in Tehran.
Iran’s leadership remains in power and has vowed to emerge stronger from the conflict, while demanding sanctions relief and seeking greater control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Following a pause in military activity through much of August, reciprocal attacks have resumed after an interim ceasefire agreement reached in June broke down, with little progress reported towards reviving peace talks.
US Central Command said US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, including one near Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil export hub. The strikes followed attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on US warships in the region.
Iran has demonstrated that it retains the capability to target US interests in neighbouring countries and disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping data showed an average of only 10 commodity ships transited the strait each day over the previous 10 days, the lowest level since May.
The reduced traffic contributed to a rise in oil prices. Brent crude futures reached $97.93 a barrel on Monday, their highest level since July 24, before easing to $96.19.
Iran has said it will intensify efforts to address economic difficulties caused by US sanctions, which have severely affected its oil exports and broader economy.
Iranian sources said the US campaign to restrict Iranian oil exports and prevent sanctions evasion was becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand.
Qalibaf said Iran’s main battle, alongside the military front, was now focused on production and people’s livelihoods, citing currency fluctuations, inflation, unemployment and market management among the country’s major challenges.
The conflict has also affected Gulf Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, which has faced Iranian missile attacks and incidents involving oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said on Monday that the country was developing alternative routes for energy exports and trade to ensure they were not “held hostage” by the conflict.
The disruption to shipping and energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz has also contributed to higher fuel prices in the United States, adding to economic pressure on the Trump administration ahead of November’s congressional elections.
