Ali Akbar Dalene, an analyst at the Tehran Center for Strategic Studies, said the US attack on Iranian oil tankers was a "major issue" that Iran could not allow such actions to go unpunished. Dalene stated, "Will this force Iran to surrender? No. Instead, it will force Iran to take action, prompting a stronger counterattack and retaliation." He said the US naval blockade coupled with sanctions is putting severe pressure on Iran, but Iran has already developed countermeasures. Dalene added, "Iran cannot tolerate this naval blockade continuing, so Iran is already preparing to break through it. At the same time, Iran certainly has its own plans to ensure that oil prices will surge to over $100 per barrel."
