- By Surarika Das
- Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Iran on Monday issued a serious warning to its neighbouring Gulf countries supporting the US amid grappling tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's vice president, Esmail Saghab Esfahani, claimed that Tehran's reaction will be fourfold if its infrastructures are targeted.
He asserted if Tehran's oil facilities were to be destroyed, the response would be multiplied against those countries that have sided with the US.
Sharing a message, Esfahani wrote that Iran would adopt a proportionally yet intriguing approach. The leader cautioned that any damage to a single facility would result in fourfold retaliation against supporting nations.
Trump's Threat
The warning comes after US President Donald Trump's threat, which directed that sustained economic and strategic pressure could affect Iran’s ability to transport and store oil.
A few days ago, Trump shared a post on Truth Social, where he wrote, "Iran is collapsing financially! They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately—starving for cash! Losing 500 million dollars a day. Military and police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!! Recommended Stories."
Later, in an interview with Fox News, he claimed that if such constraints continued, Iran's oil pipelines could reach a critical point within a few days, signifying heightened tensions around Iran's energy infrastructure, a centre point in Washington's pressure strategy.
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What Did Ghalibaf's Eqaution Say?
Iran's Parliament Speaker, MB Ghalibaf, has also responded to Trump's threat, highlighting Iran's advantage in the standoff. The Iranian leader explained that Iran's supply equates to demand by the US through a mathematical equation.
Sharing a post on X, he said, "They brag about the cards. Let's see: Supply Cards = Demand Cards. SOH (partly played) +BEM(unplayed) +Pipelines (unplayed) = Inv Release (played) + Demand Destruction (partly played) +More Price Adj (to come)."
He added, "Add summer vacation to the right unless they want to cancel it for the US!"
In the post, SOH refers to the Strait of Hormuz. BEM refers to Bab el-Mandeb. He claimed that Iran held the 'supply cards,' that is, tools to disrupt global oil supply. The Strait of Hormuz is partially threatened; however, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and pipelines remain unused.
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Ghalibaf said that the US holds cards to respond to these disruptions. The US lets the inventory release and 'destroys' the demand for oil by letting prices rise.
He concluded his post saying that summer is the peak season for oil demand. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed even then, the gas prices in the US will go through the roof. This would occur right before midterms, raising Trump's fears of a blue wave.