Iran's Navy commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said on Monday that the US was “deeply concerned about Iran’s operational initiatives” and warned that Tehran’s military could “ground” Washington’s forces wherever necessary, state news agency IRNA reported. According to IRNA, Irani stressed the need for the country’s armed forces to remain ready for the “Khorramshahr ahead”, recalling the defence of Khorramshahr during the Iran-Iraq War and referring to possible future battles. “Our main mission is to prevent the enemy from achieving its goals and objectives, and with God’s help, we will succeed in this path, because the enemy’s movements are monitored moment by moment,” he added. Navy commander warns enemies over Iran’s military capabilitieshttps://t.co/nrE1kbubDl pic.twitter.com/VVsicyrsIx — IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) September 7, 2026 Iran's enemies did not expect it to take war to a 'regional level': deputy army chief Iran's Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, said on Monday that Iran’s enemies did not expect it to change the “equations of war and expand the battlefield to a regional level,” Press TV reported. “The Strait of Hormuz, one of the region’s key strategic points, has the capacity to significantly influence regional and global equations. By leveraging its strategic capabilities, the Islamic Republic of Iran was able to have a significant impact on the world’s economic equations,” Heydari was quoted as saying. 1/3 Brig. Gen. Heydari: Iran’s Shift in the War Equations Was Beyond the Enemy’s Expectations Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces: The Strait of Hormuz, one of the region’s key strategic points, has the capacity to significantly influence regional and global equations. pic.twitter.com/8VZ4lNsfbu — PressTV Extra (@PresstvExtra) September 7, 2026 Fire extinguished aboard oil tanker targeted by US, no casualties or spill: Iranian media Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that firefighting operations on an Iranian oil tanker — struck by the US on Saturday — had been completed. “All of the ship’s crew are unharmed, and there has been no oil spill up to this moment,” Fars added. آخرین وضعیت نفتکشی که در خارگ هدف گرفته شد براساس بررسی‌های فارس، عملیات اطفای حریق نفتکشی که شنبه در حوالی جزیرهٔ خارگ هدف حملهٔ آمریکا قرار گرفته بود به‌پایان رسیده. همهٔ خدمهٔ کشتی سالم‌اند و تا این لحظه نشت نفتی وجود نداشته. pic.twitter.com/S3yE9BS98b — خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) September 7, 2026 Iran increasing military equipment production: air defence commander Iranian Air Defence Commander Brigadier General Alireza Elhami said on Monday that Tehran was increasing its military equipment production, according to Al Jazeera. Elhami said that Iran would also expand the “type, application and tactics” of such equipment, he said in comments carried by the Mehr News Agency. “We are ready,” he added, echoing comments from earlier this week that Iran was prepared for “any confrontation” with the United States or Israel. UPDATE: Iran increasing military equipment, tactics: Air defence commander 🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/9Ey0sJzupJ pic.twitter.com/lqdZUbfp5F — Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) September 7, 2026 Saudi Aramco's Jazan oil facilities attacked: FT Saudi Aramco's Jazan oil refinery was reportedly attacked on Monday, and the damage was being assessed, Reuters reported, citing The Financial Times, which cited two people with knowledge of the matter. NEW: Saudi Aramco's Jizan refinery was hit again on Monday, the latest in a series of Houthi strikes that have kept the 400,000 barrel-per-day plant offline for weeks. Houthis claimed dozens of ballistic missiles and drones targeted the site on September 6, calling it… — Clash Report (@clashreport) September 7, 2026 Earlier, Reuters cited UAE Presidential Adviser Anwar Gargash as saying that the United Arab Emirates was building alternative routes for its energy exports and trade to ensure they were not "held hostage" by the ongoing war. "Our energy exports will not be held hostage, nor will our trade and economic activity," Gargash told the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi. While acknowledging that relations with Iran could eventually recover, Gargash warned that rebuilding trust after the attacks could take decades. He also criticised Gulf Arab states for failing to mount a coordinated response to Iran, saying they had been unable to translate shared concerns into a unified strategy. "Freedom of navigation is not a concession to be granted, nor a principle to be renegotiated under pressure," Gargash said, adding that any long-term resolution must include credible guarantees against further Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states. US responsible for 'deliberate' attacks on civilians, war crimes: Baghaei Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday denounced the US and held Washington responsible for “war crimes” in Iran, deeming American military attacks “deliberate” aggression, not “collateral damage”, state news agency IRNA reported. Addressing his weekly press briefing, Baqaei highlighted US violations of international humanitarian law, adding that Tehran would always hold the US "accountable for crimes against the Iranian nation". He added that US officials were well aware that one of their tactics has been to attack civilian targets and noted that they were “adept at lying about their actions”, according to IRNA. Baqaei referred to the recent US strike on a wedding ceremony on Iran’s Sirik Island, stating that it was part of a pattern and that "such brutality was not the first of its kind".  “A review of American attacks on civilians over the last six months indicates that the United States has adopted Israel’s model to repeatedly and systematically target civilians,” IRNA said. “If the US military claims to have access to weapons with millimetre accuracy, how is it possible that it did not recognise the Minab school? How is it possible that it did not recognise that the site of the attack in Lamerd was a stadium? Likewise, the wedding in Sirik?” the spokesman asked. Iran holds US accountable for ‘deliberate’ attacks on civilians: @IRIMFA_SPOX https://t.co/oyY9kewEFn pic.twitter.com/wBUGDwFPej — IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) September 7, 2026 Earlier in the day, Baghaei said that negotiations with Oman to determine safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz had reached the final stage, Iran's ISNA reported. It added that the spokesman said it was likely that, within the coming days, the two countries' agreement on establishing a temporary safe route will be registered with the International Maritime Organisation. "I hope that once again, some ill-intentioned parties do not interfere in this process," ISNA quoted Baghaei as saying. بقائی: مذاکرات ایران و عمان برای تعیین مسیرهای امن در تنگه هرمز به مرحله نهایی رسیده و احتمالاً ظرف روزهای آینده، تفاهم دو کشور برای تعیین مسیر موقت امن نزد سازمان بین‌المللی دریانوردی ثبت خواهد شد؛ امیدوارم که دوباره برخی طرف‌های بدسگال در این روند مداخله نکنند — خبرگزاری ایسنا (@isna_farsi) September 7, 2026 Baghaei also stated during a press briefing that Iran would reciprocate if the United Nations nuclear watchdog adopted a resolution against it. He added that European states seeking a UN resolution against Iran were "irrational" as the war with the United States has made nuclear facilities inaccessible. Replying to US Vice President JD Vance, who had stated earlier that he wouldn't call the Iran conflict a "war," Baghaei argued that the conflict was not a war but an "overt aggression." The spokesman also revealed that a Qatari delegation was in Tehran on Sunday to help de-escalate tensions, adding that a technical delegation from the Armed Forces General Staff had also left for Qatar recently for specialised investigations regarding the missing pilots' case. Separately, Baghaei said that South Korea's military participation or presence in operations in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz would be regarded as support for US "aggression" and would "lead to serious consequences." In a post on X, Baghaei noted, "The relationship between Iran and the Republic of Korea has a history spanning more than 64 years, and the ties between the two countries have consistently developed based on mutual respect." He added that "Iran places great importance on its friendly relations with the Republic of Korea." However, the spokesperson stated that at present, "the Iranian people are defending themselves against America's aggressive actions, and in the situation where they are resolutely responding to America's war crimes against women and children." 이란과 대한민국의 관계는 64년이 넘는 역사를 지니고 있으며, 양국 관계는 줄곧 상호 존중을 바탕으로 발전해 왔습니다. 이란은 대한민국과의 우호 관계를 매우 중요하게 여기고 있습니다. 그러나 현재 이란 국민이 미국의 침략적 행위에 맞서 자위하고 있으며, 여성과 어린이를 상대로 한 미국의… pic.twitter.com/ThlIXzIyIN — Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) September 7, 2026 Baghaei added that "any other country maintaining a military presence or participating in operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz can only be regarded as directly supporting the perpetrators of the aggression, and it will lead to serious consequences." "No sovereign and responsible country should yield to America's pressure and threats and become complicit in the aggressive acts and horrific crimes against the great Iranian people," he concluded his post. Oman says it evacuated 16 crew members of Saudi vessel Oman's Maritime Security Centre said in a post on X that relevant authorities had "concluded their support and assistance operations for the Saudi-flagged oil tanker SIDR," after the vessel was "struck by a projectile approximately two nautical miles northwest of the Governorate of Musandam." Completion of Support Operations for Oil Tanker (SIDR). pic.twitter.com/6xLM0nZgdC — مركز الأمن البحري| MARITIME SECURITY CENTRE (@OMAN_MSC) September 7, 2026 The centre added that Oman's Royal Navy vessel "provided logistical support to the tanker's 25-member crew and evacuated 16 crew members, while ensuring that the necessary medical care was provided." The incident resulted in the deaths of two crew members, the centre said. Ghalibaf warns US energy assets in Gulf, around Hormuz exposed to Iranian retaliation Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that US energy assets in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz were exposed to Iranian retaliation if Washington struck Tehran’s oil and gas infrastructure. “It’s simple: the oil and gas production chain here is sprawling, accessible, and exposed. American oil and gas companies across these waters and facilities share that exposure,” Ghalibaf said on X. “Strike our assets and you get struck. We’ve already proven it. Ask the bases that are no longer viable,” he added. It’s simple: the oil and gas production chain here is sprawling, accessible, and exposed. American oil and gas companies across these waters and facilities share that exposure. Strike our assets and you get struck. We’ve already proven it. Ask the bases that are no longer viable. https://t.co/XiHAf6KzqV pic.twitter.com/0wBf40K4D3 — محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) September 7, 2026 His remarks came amid US warnings that Iranian oil vessels could be targeted in response to attacks on American naval forces. On September 5, US Central Command (CENTCOM) shared footage detailing the targeting of Iranian vessels and quoted its commander, Brad Cooper, as warning Tehran against attacks on US ships. “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours,” Cooper said. “We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” he added. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later reposted the CENTCOM footage on X and added his own warning. “It’s simple: if Iran shoots at US ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers. All they have to do is not shoot at US Navy,” Hegseth said. “Iran’s oil tanker fleet is defenceless — Iran has no navy or air force. Our planes, ships & subs can strike them all,” he added. Rezaei says restricted zone to be announced around Strait of Hormuz Earlier, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsin Rezaei said on Sunday that a restricted zone will be announced around the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, Iranian state media reported. Rezaei added that the zone would would include areas in the Gulf. Few details were provided on the plan initially, but Rezaei said any ship entering the new zone would be added to a sanctions list. Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei says Tehran will announce a restricted zone around the Strait of Hormuz and parts of the Gulf, with ships entering the zone to be placed on a sanctions list. pic.twitter.com/KqjOZL8GZw — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) September 7, 2026 Separately, Baghaei said Sunday night that the strait was wide open until February 28, when the US and Israel attacked Tehran. "Washington unleashed an unlawful and savage war on the region and disrupted the normal flow of commercial shipping; tankers are halted, trade is disrupted, and energy prices are rising," Baghaei said. He added that the "US is now trying to present the world with the bill for a disruption of its own making — and put Iran’s name on it." According to the spokesman, "In Washington’s narrative, a war started by the US must somehow be recast as the cost of Iran’s behaviour to the world." "America started the war but expects the whole world to pay the bill, while portraying Iran as the one that caused this chaos. That is utterly preposterous!" Baghaei concluded. The Strait of #Hormuz was wide open until 28 February, when the #USrael attacked Iran. Washington unleashed an unlawful and savage war on the region and disrupted the normal flow of commercial shipping; tankers are halted, trade is disrupted, and energy prices are rising. The US… pic.twitter.com/ll5oHCQoEv — Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) September 6, 2026 Earlier, Iran said it would step up efforts to tackle problems created by US sanctions that are crippling its economy, while a senior Iranian official warned of a "painful response" if it comes under further attack. Six months after US-Israeli strikes on Iran launched the war, the conflict appears to be at a stalemate. A preliminary ceasefire accord reached in June has unravelled, and little progress has been made in diplomatic efforts to get the peace process back on track. After a pause in military action for much of August, tit-for-tat strikes have resumed with US Central Command saying it hit three Iranian tankers on Saturday after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships. Following the attacks, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the US should understand that the rules of the game have changed "before it is too late". "From now on, any attack against Iran’s interests and security will receive a faster, heavier and more painful response,” he said in a speech published on his Telegram channel. Tehran has shown it retains the capability to attack US interests in neighbouring countries and to shut down oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil supplies flowed prior to the conflict. Sanctions, oil blockade squeeze economy However, the US campaign to throttle Iran's economy by blockading its oil exports and stopping sanctions evasion is growing increasingly difficult to withstand, three senior Iranian sources have said. In his speech on Sunday, Ghalibaf added that alongside the military front, Iran’s main battle was now over production and people’s livelihoods. He cited sharp currency fluctuations, inflation, unemployment and market management as major challenges, adding Iranians could tolerate hardship but not mismanagement or inaction and expected the government to act quickly. Iran's Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said that Tehran planned to respond to US economic pressure with reforms and rejected the notion that sanctions would cause it to change course, according to state media on Sunday. Read: Iran’s army chief says US seeking to offset battlefield setbacks through economic pressure “They speak of economic pressure and isolation, of breaking off financial ties and they think that by pressuring the economy of a country they can change the decisions of its people,” Madanizadeh said. “I have to clarify one point: The responsibility of reforming Iran’s economy is with its government and people, not with the US Treasury." Separately, Economy Ministry Deputy Morteza Zamanian said on Sunday that the ministry's “Economic War Headquarters” was doubling down on its work to resolve problems caused by the war, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Kharg Island hit 550 times in prior months, Iran says Iran is the third-largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and exported 90% of its crude via its Kharg Island export hub before the war. Flows have been disrupted since a US blockade of Iranian oil exports began in mid-April. US Central Command said on X that as of Sunday it had redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two to ensure strict compliance with its blockade. On August 31, US President Donald Trump issued a one-line social media post accompanied by an AI-generated video depicting Kharg Island being "blown to smithereens." Iranian authorities have vowed a strong response if Kharg is attacked. In an interview aired on state TV on Sunday, Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the island had been hit around 550 times in previous months but continued to operate. Iran has also imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, creating an issue for Trump by pushing up fuel prices globally as his Republican Party heads into elections in November when control of Congress is at stake. However, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said oil was getting through the waterway. "Our transits through the Strait are averaging over 9 million barrels a day now, and with the access pipelines that go around the strait, we're probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows. So Iranians are still causing trouble, but the US Navy is winning that battle," he told CNN. On Saturday, US Central Command said it struck three Iranian vessels, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships.