Iran officially declares it will not negotiate! It warns third parties that "participation in war means being attacked," could oil prices spiral out of control again?
2026-03-20 10:20:26
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Friday (March 20) that Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, stated unequivocally that Iran currently has no plans to negotiate with the United States. He characterized rumors circulating about a ceasefire or negotiations as misinformation deliberately spread by the United States to control energy prices.
This statement directly addresses recent market speculation about the possibility of diplomatic mediation, especially given the backdrop of sharp fluctuations in oil prices due to the escalation of the conflict. Iran's official stance demonstrates a refusal to compromise, further reducing the likelihood of easing tensions through negotiations in the short term.
On Friday during Asian trading hours, US crude oil prices fluctuated downwards, currently trading around $93.15 per barrel, down about 2.5% on the day, still significantly higher than pre-conflict levels.
Rezaei emphasized that the security situation on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, is currently stable, and Iranian oil export activities continue normally.
Kharg Island, as Iran's main port for loading crude oil, handles about 90% of the country's crude oil exports. Previously, the market was concerned that attacks on Iranian energy facilities could lead to export disruptions, but the latest official statement aims to stabilize market expectations and curb excessive panic-driven increases in oil prices .
In light of the recent attacks, this statement also indirectly demonstrates Iran's ability and confidence in defending its domestic energy infrastructure.
Rezaei claimed that Iran's recent military operations have yielded significant results, inflicting a "more decisive" blow on the enemy (mainly referring to the US-Israeli coalition).
He did not elaborate on the specific actions, but given Iran's retaliatory attacks in recent weeks on Qatar's LNG facilities, Saudi Arabia's Red Sea ports, and UAE gas facilities, this statement reflects that Iran believes its retaliation has effectively weakened its adversaries' energy and military advantages and enhanced its own deterrent power in the conflict.
Rezaei issued his strongest warning: if any country allows Iran's adversaries to use its territory or military bases in any form, that country will be considered a direct participant in the conflict and will become a target of Iranian strikes.
This warning targets countries that may provide logistical support or bases to the US and Israel, covering neighboring Middle Eastern countries and even a wider region, and is intended to prevent third-party intervention and escalation of the conflict.
While the G7 countries had previously pledged to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz, they had mostly adopted a cautious approach. Iran's recent statement further increases the deterrent pressure on potential allies.
The war between the US and Israel against Iran has lasted for nearly three weeks, with the conflict rapidly spreading from military targets to energy infrastructure. Iran's retaliation has severely damaged Qatar's LNG production capacity and caused oil prices to fluctuate at high levels.
Trump publicly warned Israel against further attacks on energy targets and refused to send additional ground troops, but cracks have emerged in US-Israeli coordination. The Iranian parliament's strong statement comes at a time of falling oil prices and escalating diplomatic rumors, indicating Tehran's unwillingness to back down. The conflict may be entering a more protracted and exhausting phase, and the global energy market and inflation expectations remain highly uncertain.
The latest statement from Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, is a mix of toughness and restraint: on the one hand, he firmly denies the possibility of negotiations and claims that the military operation has achieved decisive results; on the other hand, he emphasizes the stability of key export facilities in order to stabilize the oil market.
Iran has issued a stern warning to third parties not to provide bases or territory, effectively drawing a "red line" aimed at preventing the internationalization of the conflict. At this stage, Iran's strategy appears to be to maintain strategic initiative through precise retaliation and diplomatic isolation, while simultaneously preventing a full-blown energy war from spiraling out of control.
The market needs to be wary: if the third party remains neutral, the conflict may continue to be a high-intensity, low-severity conflict; once base use or new intervention occurs, energy prices and geopolitical risks will increase dramatically.
(US crude oil daily chart, source: FX678)
At 10:20 Beijing time, US crude oil futures were trading at $93.10 per barrel.
This statement directly addresses recent market speculation about the possibility of diplomatic mediation, especially given the backdrop of sharp fluctuations in oil prices due to the escalation of the conflict. Iran's official stance demonstrates a refusal to compromise, further reducing the likelihood of easing tensions through negotiations in the short term.
On Friday during Asian trading hours, US crude oil prices fluctuated downwards, currently trading around $93.15 per barrel, down about 2.5% on the day, still significantly higher than pre-conflict levels.
Harker Island's security and stable oil exports
Rezaei emphasized that the security situation on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, is currently stable, and Iranian oil export activities continue normally.
Kharg Island, as Iran's main port for loading crude oil, handles about 90% of the country's crude oil exports. Previously, the market was concerned that attacks on Iranian energy facilities could lead to export disruptions, but the latest official statement aims to stabilize market expectations and curb excessive panic-driven increases in oil prices .
In light of the recent attacks, this statement also indirectly demonstrates Iran's ability and confidence in defending its domestic energy infrastructure.
Recent operations have dealt a decisive blow to the enemy.
Rezaei claimed that Iran's recent military operations have yielded significant results, inflicting a "more decisive" blow on the enemy (mainly referring to the US-Israeli coalition).
He did not elaborate on the specific actions, but given Iran's retaliatory attacks in recent weeks on Qatar's LNG facilities, Saudi Arabia's Red Sea ports, and UAE gas facilities, this statement reflects that Iran believes its retaliation has effectively weakened its adversaries' energy and military advantages and enhanced its own deterrent power in the conflict.
A stern warning to third parties not to get involved in the conflict.
Rezaei issued his strongest warning: if any country allows Iran's adversaries to use its territory or military bases in any form, that country will be considered a direct participant in the conflict and will become a target of Iranian strikes.
This warning targets countries that may provide logistical support or bases to the US and Israel, covering neighboring Middle Eastern countries and even a wider region, and is intended to prevent third-party intervention and escalation of the conflict.
While the G7 countries had previously pledged to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz, they had mostly adopted a cautious approach. Iran's recent statement further increases the deterrent pressure on potential allies.
Current Background and Energy Impact of the US-Israel-Iran Conflict
The war between the US and Israel against Iran has lasted for nearly three weeks, with the conflict rapidly spreading from military targets to energy infrastructure. Iran's retaliation has severely damaged Qatar's LNG production capacity and caused oil prices to fluctuate at high levels.
Trump publicly warned Israel against further attacks on energy targets and refused to send additional ground troops, but cracks have emerged in US-Israeli coordination. The Iranian parliament's strong statement comes at a time of falling oil prices and escalating diplomatic rumors, indicating Tehran's unwillingness to back down. The conflict may be entering a more protracted and exhausting phase, and the global energy market and inflation expectations remain highly uncertain.
Editor's Summary
The latest statement from Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, is a mix of toughness and restraint: on the one hand, he firmly denies the possibility of negotiations and claims that the military operation has achieved decisive results; on the other hand, he emphasizes the stability of key export facilities in order to stabilize the oil market.
Iran has issued a stern warning to third parties not to provide bases or territory, effectively drawing a "red line" aimed at preventing the internationalization of the conflict. At this stage, Iran's strategy appears to be to maintain strategic initiative through precise retaliation and diplomatic isolation, while simultaneously preventing a full-blown energy war from spiraling out of control.
The market needs to be wary: if the third party remains neutral, the conflict may continue to be a high-intensity, low-severity conflict; once base use or new intervention occurs, energy prices and geopolitical risks will increase dramatically.
(US crude oil daily chart, source: FX678)
At 10:20 Beijing time, US crude oil futures were trading at $93.10 per barrel.
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