Middle East Tensions: Iran vows policy stability as Brent crude stays near $115

Iranian officials declared on Sunday that their government's strategic positions will remain fixed regardless of whether the United States resumes military strikes.

The statements coincided with global energy markets holding steady, as Brent crude traded near $115 per barrel in early Monday trading.

President Donald Trump framed his current options in stark terms during an interview on Fox News' 'Sunday Morning Futures.' He stated, 'I have a decision to make: Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal?' This followed his Friday suggestion that the U.S. might launch another 'Epic Fury' operation, referencing the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that began on February 28.

Trump also claimed that the U.S. now controls the Strait of Hormuz. He criticized the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, from which he withdrew during his first term. Speculation has grown that new U.S. strikes could follow next Tuesday's midterm elections. Additional American forces, including a third aircraft carrier group, have been deployed to the region, although diplomatic staffing there has decreased.

In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a televised audience that talk of a new war has not altered the government's thinking. He said, 'Whether there is war or not, our policies remain the same.' He added that Washington and Israel had tried similar approaches twice already and 'will achieve no different outcome.' Esmaeil Baqaei, the foreign ministry spokesperson, noted that the window for diplomacy remains open. He confirmed that messages are still being relayed to the U.S. through intermediaries, even though direct talks have appeared stalled for weeks.

Energy markets remain sensitive to supply concerns tied to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, particularly as the Northern Hemisphere approaches winter. The U.K. navy's Maritime Trade Operations center, known as UKMTO, reported Monday that a tanker leaving the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unknown projectile on Friday. The crew were reported safe. Iran had claimed to strike at least four tankers near the strait on Thursday, but those claims were not corroborated. Trump accused Tehran of inventing such attacks to push up prices before the midterms.

Regional leaders are attempting to ease tensions. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief General Asim Munir, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin were scheduled to arrive in Tehran on Monday for security talks. They were expected to meet with Iranian officials, including security chief Mohsen Rezaei. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the visit supports de-escalation and backs mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan. These talks follow eight months of conflict in the region.

Violence continued in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh. The coalition also destroyed two missile launchers in Sanaa. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed they hit Riyadh's international airport with a missile hours after flights resumed. They also said they struck oil pumping stations with drones. Earlier attacks this month had closed the airport for more than two weeks and forced Saudi Arabia to postpone its flagship investment conference until 2027. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran and its proxies might attack to disrupt Tuesday's elections. He said, 'Don't test us.' Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected a report of a clash between Netanyahu and army chief Eyal Zamir, calling it 'entirely baseless.' Netanyahu called the report 'rubbish.' Iran's foreign ministry said the election result 'makes no difference' to Tehran.