Iran Says It Will Respond More Forcefully if War Resumes, Threatens to Block Regional Oil Exports

Iran has signaled a hard-line response to the possibility of further attacks by the US and Israel. The warning is raising concern that renewed military tensions in the Middle East could once again unsettle crude supply.

Odaily, a cryptocurrency-focused media outlet, reported on May 26 that Iranian Armed Forces General Staff spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said Iran is preparing for war. If the US and Israel launch new attacks, Iran's response will be stronger than before, he added.

Shekarchi also said Iran would use new tactics, suggesting a military response different from its previous retaliatory approach.

He warned that if war resumes and Iranian oil exports are banned, Iran would block oil from leaving the region. The remark again highlighted pressure risks for Middle East energy shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Markets are weighing the warning as a potential burden on international oil prices and sentiment toward risk assets. Because the Middle East accounts for a crucial share of global crude supply and maritime shipping, any threat to block oil exports could heighten energy-price volatility.

Geopolitical risk could also drive short-term volatility in the cryptocurrency market. Higher oil prices may add to inflation pressure and weaken expectations for interest-rate cuts, hurting sentiment across risk assets such as Bitcoin and alternative tokens.