"You will see a different Iran": Ghalibaf after Trump warns of hitting Iran "very hard tonight"
Tehran, June 11
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday issued a stern warning following US President Donald Trump's remarks about potentially striking Iran "very hard tonight," saying that such actions would fundamentally alter the nature of the conflict and have far-reaching consequences.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf cautioned against what he described as "wrong strategies and impulsive decisions", warning that further escalation would destabilise the region and global markets.
"Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse, explode energy infrastructure and markets and create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years. You will see a different Iran," Ghalibaf said.
His remarks came after Trump reiterated his warning that the United States would strike Iran "very hard" amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to finalise a peace deal with the Islamic Republic, adding that the strikes are planned for "tonight".
In a post on Truth Social, the US President stated that Washington, in the not-so-"distant future", will take control of Iran's Kharg Island, which functions as the main terminal for almost all of its oil exports and other oil infrastructure, aiming to dominate Tehran's oil and gas markets.
He drew a comparison with Venezuela, stating that US control of its oil resources has worked "brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America".
He also reiterated his claims that Iran's Navy, Air Force, radar, anti-aircraft, and most offensive capabilities are gone.
"The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti-Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT. At some point in the not-too-distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America," the post read.
Trump on Wednesday had stated that the US would resume attacks on Iran, as he voiced frustration over Tehran's delays in concluding the deal with Washington. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said, "We're going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard."
He suggested that Iran's downing of a US Apache helicopter provided grounds for renewed military action.
"Based on the helicopter, I guess we have the right to do that," he told reporters.
"We hit them hard yesterday. We're going to hit them again hard today, in case you miss it, in case you don't turn on your television set, and we'll see what happens with the deal," he added.
On Wednesday, US Central Command stated that the American forces completed additional "self-defence strikes" against multiple targets in Iran, targeting Tehran's military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defence sites across the country.
According to CENTCOM, US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy units launched precision strikes on Iranian targets that threatened American forces and international commercial vessels in the region, and the actions respond to Iran's ongoing and unjustified aggression, with US forces remaining alert, capable, and prepared.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that US-Iran talks are still on track after overnight negotiations. Citing a diplomatic source with knowledge of the situation, CNN reported that discussions continued despite an overnight exchange of strikes between the US and Iran.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Trump threatening to take Kharg Island like he's playing a video game is peak arrogance. But let's be real—Iran has been provocative too, supporting proxies across the region. India should be pushing for de-escalation, not taking sides. Our foreign policy of strategic autonomy is the right approach. We need peace for our energy imports and for the 9 million Indians in the Gulf. This is not our war, but we'll suffer the consequences either way.
Ghalibaf saying "You will see a different Iran" sounds like a threat, but honestly, what choice do they have? The US has sanctioned them into a corner, assassinated their generals, and now threatens to take their oil. The world must see this as bullying. However, I wish Iran would also stop destabilising the region through Houthis and Hezbollah. Two wrongs don't make a right. India should mediate—we have good relations with both sides.
😬 This is terrifying. As an American living in India, I'm ashamed of Trump's cowboy diplomacy. The man talks about "taking" another country's territory like it's a real estate deal. Ghalibaf is right—impulsive decisions create quagmires. The fact that talks are supposedly still on track while bombs are falling is absurd. Diplomacy needs a ceasefire first. My Indian friends are worried about oil prices, and I don't blame them.
I have a respectful criticism here. While Trump's rhetoric is dangerous, Ghalibaf's warning about "exploding energy infrastructure" sounds like a threat to global markets. That's exactly the kind of nuclear option (pun intended) that makes the world nervous about Iran having nuclear capability. Both sides need to step back. India's Chabahar port investment could be at risk too. We need a diplomatic solution, not WWIII over oil.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.