Tehran has issued a stark warning to Washington amid soaring tensions, declaring that even a so-called ‘limited strike’ by the United States would be viewed as outright aggression, prompting a decisive response from Iran. This comes directly in response to recent comments from President Donald Trump, who hinted at considering such military action if Tehran refuses to strike a deal.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei laid down the line during a routine press briefing in the capital. ‘There is no such thing as a limited strike,’ he asserted. ‘Any aggressive action will be treated as such, and under our inherent right to self-defense, we will react accordingly.’ Baghaei’s words underscore Iran’s firm stance against perceived threats from the US.
The backdrop to this escalation includes Trump’s Friday statement where he openly mulled over a limited strike option. ‘I think I’m considering it,’ he told reporters when pressed on the matter. This rhetoric follows a pattern of tough talk from the White House as nuclear negotiations hang in the balance.
Just days ago, on Tuesday, Iran and the US held the second round of indirect talks in Switzerland, mediated by Oman. While Tehran and Muscat confirmed plans for further discussions, Washington has remained silent on the next steps. A third round could materialize as early as Thursday, keeping diplomatic channels tenuously open.
Baghaei emphasized that Iran’s armed forces are on high alert, monitoring every development alongside ongoing diplomacy. ‘If we sense the other side is using talks merely as a ploy, we will act based on the circumstances,’ he added, signaling readiness for any scenario.
Leading Iran’s delegation is Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, facing off against US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. Witkoff recently told Fox News that Trump is puzzled why Iran hasn’t ‘surrendered’ on its nuclear program in the face of US military buildup.
Baghaei dismissed such claims as par for the course. ‘We’re not fazed by varying assertions. We let the Iranian people judge our negotiation approach versus America’s. Talks built on preconceptions won’t yield results,’ he concluded, leaving the door ajar for genuine dialogue but braced for confrontation.