After threatening Iran with strikes on its energy installations if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened, and then announcing that negotiations were underway, the United States proposed a peace plan between the two countries. On March 25, 2026, Iran declared that “non-hostile ships” could pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite these signs of easing tensions, in a video message published the same day, the spokesman for the Iranian army’s main military command, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, dashed American hopes of negotiations.
“Those who seek the truth will not be deceived by your media. Has your internal conflicts brought you to a point where you want to negotiate with yourselves? You will not see your investments in the region again, and oil prices will not return to their previous levels until you understand this. Stability in the region is guaranteed by the powerful hand of our armed forces. Stability is true power. We will never agree with people like you, not today, not tomorrow.”
Ebrahim Zolfaghari never directly mentions the United States, but the message is clear. Iran is escalating and does not intend to give in. The United States are lying, he says in essence, we are the ones in control. Iran sees the survival of its regime, its ability to create chaos in global markets, as a sign of victory for now.
