In a direct response to Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense minister, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly warned on the X social network that the region’s oil and gas production chain is at risk.

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf wrote: “It’s simple: the oil and gas production chain here is extensive, accessible, and exposed. U.S. oil and gas companies are involved in this vulnerability across these waters and facilities. Hit our assets, and you’ll be hit. We have already proven it. Ask the bases that are no longer usable.”

He published, along with a video message titled “A lost decade of the American economy is on the way.”

On Saturday, Hegseth had written on X: “It’s simple: if Iran fires at U.S. vessels, we will destroy and sink their oil tankers. The only thing they need to do is not fire at the U.S. Navy.”