Tehran Deputy Mayor Hamidreza Gholamzadeh claimed that the United States has already exhausted all conventional military options against Iran, arguing that the only remaining option for Washington would
be a nuclear strike.
Gholamzadeh, who is in charge of Tehran’s Centre for Communication and International Relations, vowed that Iran would continue to fight even in the face of renewed military action, India Today reported.
“Now the only option Americans can use against us is nuclear bombing. They can’t do anything beyond this. We will still fight,” he told the outlet.
The Tehran Deputy Mayor said while the Strait of Hormuz –– which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the global oil and gas trade –– remains open, Iran would impose a tax on shipping through the waterway after 60 days.
“International law does not apply to the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
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Plans To Disrupt Khamenei’s Funeral?
Speaking to India Today, Gholamzadeh alleged the US and Israel had considered disrupting the funeral ceremony for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but they dropped the plan after seeing the scale of public participation and the presence of international dignitaries.
A five-day funeral ceremony for Khamenei began on July 4 in Tehran. After travelling through the streets of the Iranian capital and the holy city of Qom, the procession will be carried to the neighbouring Iraq. On July 9, the leader’s mortal remains will be buried next to the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
“They were planning to disrupt it, but after seeing the large gatherings and the presence of international guests, they pulled back,” said the mayor.
US Attacks Iran
The United States launched a fresh round of strikes on Iran in what it described as an “immediate response” to Tehran’s attacks on commercial vessels crossing the strategic waterway.
In a statement on ‘X’, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed a new round of offensive strikes against Iran, July 7, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions as an immediate response to Iran’s latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz”.
According to Iranian state media, seven explosions were heard in the southern city of Sirik and six projectiles struck the Taheroui Pier area in the city. Separately, Iranian media reported explosions were also heard on Qeshm Island –– close to the vital Strait of Hormuz –– and in Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran.
The renewed assault marked the highest number of strikes in a single day since April, when Washington and Tehran agreed on a ceasefire to pause the conflict in West Asia, as per the U.N. International Maritime Organisation.
Additionally, the US also revoked sanctions waiver issued to Iran to sell oil, reversing course on a key element highlighted in the preliminary agreement under the ceasefire.
A US official told The Associated Press that the move followed Iran’s actions in the strait that were “unacceptable and required consequences”. The fresh spate of strikes in the region threatens hope for the restoration of maritime traffic through Hormuz, as countries seek to ease the economic pressure caused by the conflict.
