舊金山大學中東研究創始主任斯蒂芬·祖內斯表示，伊朗將難以在霍爾木茲海峽附近強制設置禁區，很難看出他們如何真正能強制執行，試圖執行這一限制的伊朗艦艇和飛機將極易受到美軍攻擊。但或許他們是在發出警告，畢竟航運公司仍需承擔風險，不能指望毫無後果地通過海峽。伊朗可能是希望挑起美國更廣泛的軍事迴應，這在政治上對伊朗有利，因爲可以“爲攻擊鄰國及該地區美軍設施提供正當理由”。這反過來可能通過“削弱美國公衆對持續衝突的支持”來幫助伊朗，同時推動伊朗民衆在國內經濟困難加劇之際的團結。

Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf said Iran will adopt a higher-intensity military posture in a war with the US, warning any infringement on Iranian interests or security will receive a “faster, fiercer, more painful” response. He reiterated that future retaliation would no longer be proportional. Ghalibaf acknowledged Iran is under severe economic pressure from US-led comprehensive sanctions and isolation, citing sharp exchange-rate swings, inflation, unemployment and market management as fundamental challenges that have hit livelihoods. He said Tehran must boost domestic production and use technology to design short-term and permanent solutions.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman said the United States will pay a heavier price for its economic war against Iran.