Tensions in the Middle East have roiled the international energy market.

Early this morning, at the opening of the Asian-Pacific market, international oil prices surged straight up. The prices of WTI crude oil futures and Brent crude oil futures once rose by more than 1.6%. Regarding the news, the Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament approved the outline of the strategic action plan to ensure the security and development of the Strait of Hormuz. On the 9th, Moeibi, the spokesperson of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, stated that Iran's current strategy is to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz until the enemy accepts all of Iran's conditions and admits defeat.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump's latest speech also sent a blockbuster signal, stating that he is currently "downplaying" the Iran issue and hinting that he prefers to increase economic pressure rather than launch large-scale military operations again.

International oil prices rise

In the early morning of August 10, Beijing time, international oil prices strengthened. WTI crude oil futures once surged by 1.66% and Brent crude oil futures once rose by 1.7%, with their gains subsequently easing somewhat. As of 06:50, the gains stood at 0.87% and 1.14% respectively.

According to Iranian sources on the 9th, as cited by CCTV News, the Iranian Parliament's Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy has approved the outline of the strategic action plan to ensure the security and development of the Strait of Hormuz.

Hassan Kashkavi, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, confirmed on the 9th that the overall framework of the "Strategic Action Plan to Ensure the Security and Development of the Strait of Hormuz" has been adopted by the commission.

It is reported that Kashkavi stated that the verbal and written opinions of relevant institutions and departments were discussed and reviewed at the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, and representatives of relevant institutions attended the meeting. Finally, the overall framework of the plan was unanimously adopted by the committee.

On the same day, Sepah News spokesman Moghaddam said that Iran's current strategy is to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz until the enemy accepts all of Iran's conditions and admits defeat.

Muhbi stated that Iran has forced the enemy to abandon all previously set goals, and the other side is currently focusing its efforts on "reopening the Strait of Hormuz". Iran will maintain control over the strait "until the enemy accepts all our conditions and acknowledges its defeat.

Moukhebi said: "The (Iranian side's) resistance will last forever and has no end, and defeating the enemy is an unshakable strategy of Iran.

Meanwhile, important personnel changes at the senior level of Iran have also drawn attention from all sides. On the 9th, Mehdi Tabatabai, the deputy director in charge of news and communication at the Iranian President's Office, announced that Mohsen Rezaei was appointed Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council on the same day.

Rezaei was born in September 1954 in Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran and is 71 years old at present. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran from 1981 to 1997 for 16 years and obtained a doctoral degree in economics from the University of Tehran in 2001.

Rezaei has run for Iran's presidential election on multiple occasions. From 2021 to 2023, he served as Iran's vice president in charge of economic affairs.

In March, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba, appointed Rezaei as a military advisor.

After the United States and Israel launched a joint military strike against Iran on February 28 of this year, Rezaei has made multiple tough statements.

Trump's Latest Remarks

According to U.S. news on the 9th, U.S. President Trump said that he is currently "keeping a low profile" on the Iran issue and hinted that he prefers to increase economic pressure rather than launch large-scale military operations again.

It is reported that Trump said in an interview, "We are only in a 'semi-negotiation' with them. We are just watching the situation in Iran. They are facing severe inflation and a shortage of funds." He said that Iran's current economic situation is "very bad" and "doesn't even have money to pay for military expenses". He stated that the U.S. maritime blockade has further exacerbated Iran's economic crisis.

Trump described the current US-Iran situation as "like a game of chess" and said, "Things will always work out.

The US Central Command stated that 55 merchant ships have diverted amid Iran's blockade operations.

Meanwhile, there are major changes in the prospects of the Gaza peace plan. On the 9th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel rejects the Gaza peace plan proposed by the so-called "Peace Committee" initiated by the United States, and stated that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip until Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement of Palestine, truly disarms.

According to multiple Israeli media outlets, Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on that day, "Israel rejects this 15-point peace plan." He stated that Hamas must be disarmed, "all weapons, including heavy weapons and light weapons, real disarmament, not fake disarmament.

Netanyahu said that Israel is in discussions with the United States, "They (the US side) have their own ideas, some of which we can accept and some we cannot." He said, "The Israeli army will continue to thwart threats against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Netanyahu also said that he would never accept the establishment of a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank.

On July 30, Trump announced on social media that the "Peace Committee" had reached an agreement on the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. The "Peace Committee" released a 15-point peace plan the next day. Under the plan, Hamas should disarm, and Israel would withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip in phases. Hamas issued a statement on the evening of the 31st, saying that the premise of handing over weapons was the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.

 

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