The Iranian government has declared its intention to retaliate against U.S. energy companies operating in the Middle East. This response comes as the U.S. seeks to rally its allies, including South Korea, to counter Iran.
On September 7, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "The oil and gas production networks in this region are extensive, accessible, and exposed. U.S. oil and gas companies operating in this area also share this exposure."
Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), further escalated the rhetoric by announcing plans to establish new restricted navigation zones in the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei emphasized, "They (the U.S.) will only make efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz when they stop their sabotage, threats, and attacks against Iran."
Iran's threats are not limited to the U.S. Ismail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, warned South Korea about its potential involvement in the conflict with Iran. The Iranian news agency IRNA reported Baghaei stating, "Iran and South Korea have a relationship that spans over 64 years. No sovereign nation should succumb to U.S. pressure and threats, participating in acts of aggression and heinous crimes against the great Iranian people."
Iran also issued sharp remarks regarding nuclear inspections, targeting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and European nations. According to Reuters, on September 7, Baghaei asserted that it is irrational to push for a resolution against Iran at the IAEA level while the country is engaged in a war and access to its nuclear facilities is impossible, vowing retaliation. Al Jazeera reported that a draft resolution concerning Iran is currently under review by the United Nations Security Council.
This controversy arose after IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated on September 7 that the agency has been completely unable to access Iran's nuclear facilities since June of the previous year. Grossi noted, "The IAEA has not received any information regarding declared nuclear materials or facilities, nor has it been able to conduct on-site verification activities. Therefore, we cannot report on whether Iran is complying with the provisions of the Security Council resolution."
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has suffered significant damage from attacks in the conflict with Iran, has declared it will no longer be held hostage. According to Fox News and the Associated Press, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, stated, "Our energy exports, as well as trade and economic activities, should no longer be held hostage." He added that using international straits as a means of coercion is unacceptable.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.