Iran warns it will respond decisively to any new U.S. strikes
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would hold the U.S., Israel and involved Gulf states fully responsible and would retaliate against any act of aggression.
Iran’s foreign minister warned that Tehran’s armed forces will respond decisively to any new act of aggression, escalating tensions amid reports of planned U.S. strikes.
The message, posted on Telegram after a phone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, said the United States, Israel and any Gulf states involved would “bear full responsibility” for any fresh attacks.
Abbas Araghchi also held talks with Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has recently acted as an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran. In both conversations Araghchi reiterated that Iran is determined to reply firmly to any strike.
Background of the exchanges
Since the war began at the end of February, Iran has repeatedly responded to U.S. strikes with attacks on targets in Gulf countries that host American military bases; Saudi Arabia has been struck on multiple occasions.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump to express the kingdom’s concern about reports of planned new attacks, U.S. sources familiar with the discussions said. The crown prince urged Trump to seek de-escalation, the sources added.
President Trump said last night that he put a planned new round of military strikes on hold because of what he described as progress toward a diplomatic deal. He posted on Truth Social that the suspension would be conditional on a swift agreement and said the U.S. military was “ready to strike with all of its force.” He also quoted the agreed limits as “the framework of the deal.”
Photo: press material from the event
