Iran Parliament Speaker Warns US Energy Firms Face Retaliation

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that American energy companies face exposure and potential retaliation following U.S. strikes on Iranian oil tankers, sharply escalating energy security tensions in the Middle East.

The exchange marks a deterioration in maritime security relations across the Persian Gulf, raising immediate concerns over tanker traffic and regional infrastructure stability near the Strait of Hormuz.

"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," said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian Parliament Speaker, in a social media post.

"Strike our assets, and you get struck. We’ve already proven it," Ghalibaf added.

U.S. Defense Response and Shipping Security

The direct warnings from Tehran follow remarks from Washington regarding naval engagements and the vulnerability of Iranian shipping lanes. U.S. leadership has maintained a posture of strict deterrence in regional waterways.

"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. Iran's oil tanker fleet is defenceless, Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all in @CENTCOM & @USPACOM," said Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary, in a statement reported by ANI News.

Conditions for the Strait of Hormuz

Amid the rising rhetoric, questions persist regarding the security of commercial shipping through critical chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of the world's petroleum passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making transit stability a primary driver of global crude pricing.

"Iran will commit to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open when the US neither threatens nor attacks Iran," said Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an interview with IRIB, as cited by ANI News.

Energy markets remain sensitive to naval posturing in the region, where any prolonged disruption to transit routes impacts international petroleum supply chains.