Economy March 23, 2026

Iran Signals Long-Term Disruption in Strait of Hormuz, Denies Talks with U.S.

State-affiliated outlets say Tehran will maintain pressure on energy flows and that no negotiations with Washington are underway

By Derek Hwang
Iran Signals Long-Term Disruption in Strait of Hormuz, Denies Talks with U.S.

Iranian officials told state-linked news agencies that the Strait of Hormuz will not revert to pre-conflict conditions and that energy markets will continue to be unsettled. The reports also say there are no ongoing negotiations with the United States, and include claims that U.S. President Donald Trump stepped back from striking Iranian infrastructure amid market concerns.

Key Points

  • Iranian officials told Tasnim that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions and that energy markets will remain unsettled - sectors affected include oil and gas, shipping, and energy trading.
  • Both Tasnim and Fars reported that Iran denies any current negotiations with the United States, either directly or through intermediaries - this affects diplomatic channels and market sentiment.
  • Tasnim and Fars conveyed that President Donald Trump backed away from attacking critical Iranian infrastructure amid financial market pressure, and that Tehran will continue defensive actions until it achieves deterrence - this influences geopolitical risk assessments and financial markets.

Iranian officials informed state-affiliated news services on Monday that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz will persist and that global energy markets should expect continued instability.

Tasnim news agency, citing an unnamed Iranian official, reported that the waterway - a critical transit point for oil shipments - will not return to its pre-war operating state and that energy markets will remain unsettled as a result. The same official, according to Tasnim and Fars News Agency, stated that Iran is not engaged in negotiations with the United States, neither through direct channels nor via intermediaries.

Tasnim further conveyed that President Donald Trump abandoned plans to strike vital Iranian infrastructure, attributing the decision to pressure from financial markets. That report said Tehran would persist in defensive measures until it has secured what it regards as credible deterrence.

Separately, Fars - an outlet described as closely affiliated with Iran's current regime - published an account saying that the U.S. President retreated after being told Iran would target all power plants across West Asia. Both Tasnim and Fars framed these developments as part of Tehran's posture of continued defense and deterrence.

The agencies' statements underline two clear themes: first, an intention by Iranian authorities to sustain disruption in a strategic maritime chokepoint with implications for energy flows; and second, a categorical denial from Tehran of any ongoing negotiations with Washington, as reported by both Tasnim and Fars.

Where the reports reference U.S. decision-making, they attribute a change in U.S. action to market pressures and to Iranian deterrent claims rather than to diplomacy or talks. Media outlets conveying these positions emphasized that the situation remains unsettled and that Tehran intends to continue defensive measures until it achieves the deterrence it seeks.


Context limitations: The reports cited are those published by Tasnim and Fars News Agency; the accounts reflect statements attributed to Iranian officials and the characterization of U.S. actions as presented by those agencies.

Risks

  • Sustained disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could keep energy markets volatile, impacting oil and gas prices and related sectors such as shipping and insurance.
  • The reported absence of negotiations between Tehran and Washington leaves diplomatic resolution uncertain, which may prolong market uncertainty and affect investor confidence.
  • Claims that Iran threatened power plants in West Asia and that U.S. military action was reportedly halted due to market pressure introduce the risk of escalatory incidents that could further unsettle regional energy infrastructure and financial markets.

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