Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, the Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, issued a stern warning early Monday regarding the potential consequences of any military strike on Kharg Island. He emphasized that such an attack would not only affect Iran but would also send shockwaves through the global energy markets, causing severe and far-reaching disruptions. His remarks came amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf region, where strategic control over energy routes remains a critical geopolitical issue.
In a message posted on the social media platform X, Tangsiri recalled previous attempts to challenge Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. He stated that while earlier actions targeting the Strait had already influenced oil prices, an assault on Kharg Island—the heart of Iran’s oil export infrastructure—would provoke an even more drastic and unprecedented upheaval in the global energy distribution network. This warning highlights the strategic importance of Kharg Island, which serves as a major oil terminal and is crucial for Iran’s energy exports.
These developments follow recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged on Saturday that airstrikes had targeted 13 military installations on Kharg Island. These strikes are part of ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations that began on February 28, intensifying the already volatile situation in the region. The targeting of Kharg Island, if confirmed, marks a significant escalation, given the island’s role in Iran’s energy infrastructure and its symbolic value in the broader conflict.
Addressing the leaders of the Persian Gulf states, Rear Admiral Tangsiri delivered a pointed message, cautioning them against relying on the United States and Western powers for their security. He argued that these external actors prioritize their own interests and are willing to sacrifice the Gulf countries when convenient. This statement reflects growing skepticism in the region about the reliability of Western security guarantees, especially as Gulf nations navigate complex alliances and rivalries.
Tangsiri further asserted that Gulf countries are gradually awakening to the reality that they have been used as pawns in the ambitions of larger powers. He called for genuine reform in the region, which he believes can only be achieved through unity among Islamic nations and the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle East. This call for solidarity underscores the IRGC’s broader political stance advocating for regional independence from Western influence.
In a related development on Sunday, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued a grave warning about potential “false flag” operations orchestrated by the U.S.-Israel coalition. Larijani suggested that these covert actions could be designed to falsely implicate Iran in a large-scale terrorist attack, drawing parallels to the September 11 attacks in the United States. He accused remnants of the so-called “Epstein network” of conspiring to carry out such provocations, aiming to justify further aggression against Iran.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, Larijani emphasized that Iran remains firmly committed to defending itself against external threats but does not support terrorist activities or harbor hostility toward the American people. His statement attempts to distinguish Iran’s defensive posture from the aggressive tactics he attributes to its adversaries, highlighting the complex dynamics of blame and counter-blame in the ongoing conflict.
