IRGC Rejects Trump’s "Quick End" Claims; Vows to Dictate War’s Conclusion
While Trump recently characterized the military campaign as a "short-term excursion" that is "very complete," the IRGC countered in a stern official statement that only Iran has the authority to determine when the fighting stops. The IRGC dismissed Trump's assessment of their military degradation, stating that the equations and the future status of the region are now in the hands of their armed forces and that American forces do not possess the power to end the war on their own terms.
In a direct escalation of threats, the Guards warned that if U.S. and Israeli strikes continue, they will ensure that not one liter of oil is exported from the region, signaling a potential total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Responding via Truth Social, President Trump promised a level of destruction that would make it impossible for Iran to rebuild as a nation, warning that any attempt to stop the global flow of oil would trigger a U.S. response twenty times harder than the strikes seen so far. Trump specified that the U.S. would pivot to targeting infrastructure to ensure the regime could never recover, while also framing the U.S. military's efforts to keep the Strait open as a "gift" to oil-dependent nations like China.
The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader has seemingly galvanized the IRGC's hardline stance, as military commanders continue to pledge loyalty until the last drop of blood. Despite Trump’s dismissive tone regarding Iran's naval and air capabilities, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz for over a week has already disrupted nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day, causing the largest supply shock in modern history. While global oil prices dropped below $90 per barrel today following Trump's "peace soon" claims, the underlying tension remains at a breaking point as both sides refuse to back down from their respective ultimatums.
