Tehran says any U.S. military action, even a limited strike, would be treated as aggression and trigger a strong defensive response, officials warn ahead of resumed nuclear talks.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iran issued a stark warning Monday that any military strike by the United States — regardless of scale — would be regarded as an “act of aggression” and met with a “ferocious” response, as the Trump administration weighs possible limited strikes if negotiations fail to produce a deal.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said at a briefing in Tehran that even limited U.S. military action would be considered hostile, with ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasizing Tehran’s right to self-defense under international law. “And any state would react to an act of aggression as part of its inherent right of self-defence ferociously — so that’s what we would do,” he said.
Washington has recently expanded its military presence in the Middle East to increase pressure on Iran as indirect nuclear talks, mediated by Oman, are set to resume on Thursday in Geneva. The buildup, which includes additional forces and naval assets, reflects U.S. insistence that Iran make concessions on its nuclear program or face potential military options.
The warning from Tehran came as both sides concluded a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland this week. Iranian officials reiterated that only discussions focused on the country’s nuclear program are on the negotiating agenda, while Western powers maintain concerns that Iran’s enrichment efforts are aimed at weapons development — a charge Tehran denies.
The European Union urged a diplomatic resolution ahead of the resumed talks, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas saying “we don’t need another war in this region” and calling for efforts to use the current moment to pursue negotiations rather than conflict.
Iran’s domestic situation adds complexity to the external tensions. The clerical leadership has faced significant challenges, including widespread protests earlier this year and last year’s 12-day conflict with Israel, which have tested the country’s regional proxies and public sentiment.
The possibility of renewed confrontation has heightened fears across the region and beyond. Several foreign governments, including India, Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia, have urged their citizens in Iran to depart the country amid fears of escalation.
Iran’s warning underscores the volatile backdrop against which diplomatic efforts are unfolding and highlights the deep mistrust between Tehran and Washington as both sides navigate nuclear negotiations and strategic positioning.
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