Iran's President Affirms Continued Strong Resistance

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted on Tuesday that his country is determined to continue its resistance with full force. He emphasized that this path will persist until "aggressors" feel remorse and Iran's rights are protected, a statement reflecting a more resolute tone. In a post on the "X" platform, Pezeshkian clarified that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always opposed war, considering the protection of the people's interests and regional security to be achieved by avoiding conflict. However, he added that Iran, which has bravely defended itself against aggression to this day, will continue this resistance with full determination to deter aggressors and protect its people's rights. These statements come amidst an escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz between the United States and Iran, with no immediate signs of a resolution on the horizon. In a notable development on Tuesday, Iran threatened the United States with "economic war," claiming it launched an advanced missile towards American warships, signaling the potential for greater escalation just days after both sides exchanged strikes again. The six-month-long conflict has seen periods of calm followed by waves of escalation. The United States had announced attacks on Iranian targets last Saturday, targeting three Iranian oil tankers. Conversely, official Iranian reports indicated on Sunday that Iran launched a "Qasem Basir" missile as part of its attacks targeting several American ships. Iran has pledged to unveil a new prohibited zone in the coming days, along with maps for a newly established shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz, with details to be announced later. For his part, US President Donald Trump stated via social media that oil prices "will come down a lot like everything else comes down (even more!)" when the United States wins the "war with Iran," suggesting they could reach three dollars per gallon, and eventually less than two dollars per gallon, and that this "will happen quickly." Trump also affirmed that Iran "will never have a nuclear weapon."