WANA (Apr 30) – The Speaker of Iran’s Parliament responded directly to recent remarks by Donald Trump, rejecting claims about imminent explosions in Iran’s oil infrastructure and describing them as baseless and misguided.

 

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated: “Three days have passed, and no oil well has exploded. We can extend this period to 30 days and even broadcast live footage of the wells.”

 

He also criticized the policy advice given to U.S. officials, adding: “These kinds of recommendations come from individuals who promote ideas like economic blockades—approaches that have only driven oil prices higher, even toward $140.”

 

Ghalibaf further emphasized: “The issue is not just flawed ideas, but a flawed mindset.”

A Prediction That Didn’t Materialize

Three days earlier, Trump had claimed in an interview with Fox News that Iran’s oil pipelines and infrastructure would soon explode due to full storage capacity and restrictions caused by a blockade. That timeframe has now passed, and none of those predictions have materialized.

 

At the time, Iranian oil officials had already stated that a significant portion of storage capacity—both on land and at sea—remained available, allowing continued management of production.

 

Analysts and Data Challenge the Claims

International analysts also questioned the accuracy of the statements. Javier Blas, a Bloomberg columnist, wrote alongside satellite imagery of tanker activity near Kharg Island: “I don’t know what Trump is talking about.”

 

Shipping tracking data further indicates that Iran continues to rely on both onshore storage and large oil tankers used as floating storage, providing substantial flexibility in managing supply.

Storage Capacity Remains Strong

Energy assessments suggest that Iran can sustain its current production levels for several more weeks without significant cuts. Estimates place the country’s storage capacity at over 120 million barrels.

 

Past experience has also shown that similar pressure campaigns have not led to decisive changes in Iran’s oil production or exports, reinforcing skepticism toward the latest claims.