Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, on Monday, refuted claims of Tehran’s intentions to negotiate with the U.S., amid escalating tensions in the region.
The former advisor to the late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a series of posts on X on Monday, stated that Iran is defending itself and did not start the aggression.
Larijani also accused President Donald Trump of plunging the region “into chaos with his ‘delusional fantasies,’ and now fears more American troop casualties.”
He added that the U.S. president’s actions had turned his self-made “America First” slogan into “Israel First” and had sacrificed American soldiers for Israel’s power-hungry ambitions.
Oil Risks Mount Amid Escalation
The denial of negotiation plans comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. On Monday, Israel launched strikes on Beirut in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack, believed to be on behalf of the Iranian regime. This followed the military strikes against Iran by the U.S. and Israel over the weekend, which garnered support from allied nations like Canada, the UK, France and Italy, and calls for restraint from others.
These events have raised concerns over potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. Analysts warn that any disruption could push oil prices towards $100 per barrel, as major energy firms and tanker operators suspend shipments following Tehran’s cautionary advice to vessels transiting the area.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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