Iran has warned that the war is entering a “new phase,” threatening to retaliate by targeting energy infrastructure, and stating that the conflict will not end soon.
On 8 Mar 2026 GMT+7, a senior Iranian official warned that the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States has entered a “new phase.” He rejected ideas that the war would end soon and indicated possible retaliation targeting energy infrastructure across the region.
The official told CNN that there is no sign the conflict will end immediately, despite some reports suggesting otherwise. “The war has entered a new phase, and attacks on Iran’s oil and fuel reserves will certainly be met with regional retaliation.”
He added that in the coming days, Iran might target energy infrastructure as retaliation, a prospect causing widespread concern that such attacks could disrupt oil and gas supplies in the Middle East.
"Iran will not relent in controlling the Strait of Hormuz until it achieves its desired outcomes," the official said, referring to the key shipping route through which a vast amount of the world’s oil passes. He also stated that the Tehran government will determine when the conflict will end.
.cnn