Trump Signals Deal Progress, But Iran Parliament Speaker Says 'Wrong Strategies And Impulsive Decisions' Could Lead To Quagmire Lasting Years
As Iran pushed back against President Donald Trump‘s claims that a peace agreement had been approved, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that “wrong strategies and impulsive decisions” could trigger a broader crisis that would devastate energy infrastructure, roil global markets and create an “endless quagmire” lasting for years.
A Warning Against Escalation
“Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse, explode energy infrastructure and markets and create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X Thursday.
Ghalibaf warned that miscalculations could not only derail diplomatic progress but also trigger broader economic and geopolitical consequences, particularly for energy markets that remain highly sensitive to ongoing war developments in the region.
The remark appeared to be a caution to policymakers currently negotiating potential deal terms. By warning that investors would “see a different Iran,” Ghalibaf appeared to signal that further pressure could trigger a tougher response from Tehran.
Trump Says Yes, Iran Says Not Yet
Trump said Thursday in a post on Truth Social, that he canceled planned strikes against Iran after negotiations received approval from the country’s highest leadership, though Reuters reported, citing Iranian media outlets, that Tehran had not yet reached a final decision on the proposed agreement.
On Wednesday, he said that additional military action could follow if Tehran fails to reach an agreement, even as Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Why Energy Markets Are Listening
Markets have remained highly sensitive to developments in the conflict. While oil prices surged during periods of escalation, Brent crude fell to a nearly two-month low on Friday to $89 per barrel as investors welcomed signs of progress toward a potential agreement.
Ghalibaf’s warning carries particular significance because of Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of global energy shipments normally pass through the narrow waterway, making any threat to regional infrastructure or shipping routes a major concern for oil traders and policymakers.
Any breakdown in negotiations could quickly reverse the recent pullback in oil prices, putting energy markets back on edge and renewing concerns about the economic fallout from a prolonged conflict.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.