Top Iranian adviser says Tehran is ready for a long war with the US and only economic pain will stop it
Mar 9th 2026
In a CNN interview in Tehran, senior adviser Kamal Kharazi said Iran is ready for a prolonged conflict with the US, rejecting diplomacy and saying only mounting economic pressure on other countries will force an end to the war.
- Kamal Kharazi told CNN Iran is prepared for a long war with the United States and ruled out diplomacy for now.
- Iran will continue striking Gulf targets to pressure regional states to push the US to end the conflict.
- Kharazi said the war will end only if economic pressure on other countries forces them to intervene against US and Israeli actions.
- Iranian strikes have hit US interests as well as residential buildings and airports, and the IRGC says it is using 60 percent of its firepower against US bases and strategic targets.
- The conflict has disrupted roughly 20 percent of global oil supply, pushed crude prices above $100 a barrel and effectively wiped out spare capacity, while Strait of Hormuz traffic has largely collapsed.