Iran has firmly ruled out any ceasefire with the United States and Israel, declaring its intention to maintain military responses until the aggressors are decisively punished.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated:
“Certainly, we aren’t seeking a ceasefire. We believe the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson that will deter them from attacking Iran again.”
Qalibaf accused Israel of perpetuating a deliberate cycle of escalation followed by temporary de-escalation:
“The Zionist regime (Israel) has consistently perpetuated a vicious cycle of ‘war, negotiations, ceasefire, then war again’ throughout its disgusting history. We will break this cycle.”
The remarks come amid the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran, which began with large-scale joint strikes on February 28, 2026. Those attacks have reportedly killed more than 1,200 people and injured around 10,000, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded with repeated waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israeli territory, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
Tehran’s leadership has framed its retaliatory operations as necessary self-defense and a means to restore deterrence, while rejecting any negotiated pause that would leave the initial strikes unanswered.
The stance effectively signals continued escalation unless the U.S. and Israel halt operations and accept accountability for the February 28 attacks.
Global oil markets remain highly sensitive to the situation, with Brent crude prices fluctuating sharply due to fears of further disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately 20–30% of the world’s seaborne oil passes. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close or severely restrict the strait in response to ongoing coalition strikes.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate have so far yielded no breakthrough, with both sides exchanging increasingly hardline rhetoric. The United States, under President Donald Trump, has warned of overwhelming retaliation — including potential strikes “twenty times harder” — if Iran attempts to block the Strait.
As the conflict enters its third week, the risk of broader regional involvement continues to rise, with European leaders (including France, Germany, and the UK) calling for urgent UN Security Council action and protection of international shipping lanes.
