Qalibaf's response to US Defense Secretary Hegseth's threat against Iranian tankers

In his statement on the social media platform of US-based company X, Kalibaf reacted to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statements that they would "destroy and sink" Iranian tankers. Stating that the oil and natural gas production chain in the region is spread over a wide area and is accessible, Kalibaf said:

"American oil and gas companies in these waters and facilities are equally vulnerable. Attack our assets and you will be attacked, too. We've proven that before. Just ask the bases that are no longer usable."

US Secretary of Defense Hegseth, in his statement on the X account on September 5, stated that if Iran opened fire on US ships, they would "destroy and sink" Iranian oil tankers. Hegseth also argued that Iran's fleet of oil tankers was defenseless and that US planes, ships and submarines were capable of attacking this fleet.