Iran Warns US Against Renewed Strikes As Trump Weighs Military Action

Iran has warned that any renewed US strikes would trigger retaliation against American bases and interests across the Middle East. The warning comes as US President Donald Trump considers military action, economic pressure or a new agreement with Tehran. Iran has also warned regional countries against supporting a US attack, while Qatar and Pakistan continue efforts to revive negotiations. Meanwhile, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high, with commercial shipping through the key energy route falling sharply.

IRAN WARNS OF RETALIATION

Iran's central military command has warned that the United States may be preparing to resume strikes against the country, raising fears of a renewed escalation after months of reduced direct fighting.
The warning was issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which oversees Iran's armed forces. Iranian officials said they had received information suggesting Washington was preparing for another military operation against Iran.
Tehran said any new US attack would be met with retaliation against American military bases and other US interests across the Middle East.
Iran also warned countries in the region against allowing their territory, military facilities or other infrastructure to be used to support a US attack.
The warning comes as Washington and Tehran send mixed signals, with military threats continuing alongside diplomatic efforts to reopen negotiations.

TRUMP SAYS HE IS DECIDING ON IRAN

US President Donald Trump said he was considering his next move on Iran, describing himself as being in a “deciding mode”.
Trump has indicated that his options include further military action, increased economic pressure or reaching a new agreement with Tehran.
At the same time, Trump said he would be willing to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.
The possibility of such a meeting highlights the uncertainty surrounding the next stage of the conflict, with Washington keeping both military and diplomatic options open.

IRAN ALSO PREPARES FOR DIPLOMACY

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to New York for the UN General Assembly after making a stop in Qatar, where diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict have been taking place.
Qatar has been acting as an intermediary between Iran and the United States, with officials travelling between capitals and exchanging proposals aimed at restarting negotiations.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Doha had received assurances from US officials that Washington wanted an agreement.
However, Tehran has set conditions for any renewed negotiations.
Iran has told Qatari and Pakistani mediators that it wants an end to the war and US attacks, the release of frozen Iranian funds and the lifting of the US naval blockade on its ports.

IRAN SAYS HORMUZ WILL REMAIN CLOSED

The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the central pressure points in the confrontation.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strategic waterway would remain closed until Washington met what Tehran says are its obligations under an earlier agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is one of the world's most important routes for transporting oil and natural gas from major Gulf producers to international markets.
Any prolonged disruption therefore has consequences far beyond Iran and the United States, potentially affecting fuel prices, shipping costs and energy supplies around the world.

SHIPPING THROUGH HORMUZ HAS FALLEN

The confrontation has already disrupted commercial shipping through the waterway.
Shipping data cited in recent reports showed that only 12 commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, compared with 35 the previous weekend.
The decline reflects the growing risks faced by commercial vessels operating in the area.
The waterway's disruption has also contributed to uncertainty in global energy markets. Oil prices have remained sensitive to developments surrounding the conflict, although prices recently eased as markets reacted to signs that Washington and Tehran could return to diplomacy.

JUNE AGREEMENT COLLAPSED

The latest confrontation follows the collapse of a memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran in June.
The agreement was designed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and create a 60-day period for negotiations on a broader settlement.
Under the agreement, Iran was expected to facilitate safe commercial passage through the strait, while the United States was to remove its naval blockade and both sides were to negotiate a longer-term deal.
The arrangement later broke down amid disagreements over implementation, particularly over shipping through Hormuz and other unresolved issues.
The 60-day negotiating period formally expired in August, with Tehran saying the original framework was no longer relevant.

IRANIAN LAWMAKERS CALL FOR PRESSURE

Ghalibaf told Iranian lawmakers that Tehran should use military force to push back against its opponents before turning to diplomacy to protect whatever gains it achieves.
His comments reflect the increasingly hard-line position being expressed by some senior Iranian officials as the possibility of renewed US strikes grows.
At the same time, Iranian officials continue to engage mediators, suggesting that Tehran is seeking to maintain a diplomatic channel while preparing for a possible return to fighting.

REGIONAL COUNTRIES FACE NEW PRESSURE

Iran's warning to neighbouring countries adds another layer of risk to the crisis.
Tehran has said countries that allow the United States to use their territory or facilities for attacks could be treated as participants in the conflict.
Many Gulf states host US military personnel and facilities, making them potentially important to any American military operation in the region.
Iran has previously targeted US-linked military assets in the region during periods of heightened confrontation.
The latest warning therefore raises concerns that a new US-Iran confrontation could quickly spread beyond the two countries.

US AND IRAN SEND MIXED SIGNALS

The current situation is marked by a clear contradiction.
Iran is warning that it is prepared to retaliate against any new US attack, while simultaneously sending its foreign minister to the UN and communicating with mediators.
Washington is also maintaining pressure on Tehran while Trump has expressed openness to meeting Pezeshkian.
The competing messages suggest that both sides are attempting to strengthen their positions ahead of any possible negotiations.

FEARS OF A WIDER REGIONAL CONFLICT

The possibility of renewed US-Iran fighting comes against a broader backdrop of instability across the Middle East.
The confrontation has already affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to disruptions in global energy markets.
Recent fighting involving Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen has also added to regional tensions, while Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have been drawn into the wider security crisis.
US diplomatic missions in several Middle Eastern countries have warned American citizens to remain vigilant amid the possibility of rapid escalation, including potential flight disruptions and airspace closures.

DIPLOMACY REMAINS POSSIBLE

Despite the military threats, diplomatic channels remain open.
Qatar and Pakistan are attempting to help bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran, while the UN General Assembly provides an opportunity for senior officials from both sides to be in the same city.
Trump's willingness to consider a meeting with Pezeshkian also leaves open the possibility of direct political engagement.
However, major disagreements remain over the war, sanctions, Iran's frozen funds, the US naval blockade and control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Iran is preparing for the possibility of renewed attacks while keeping diplomacy alive.
The coming days around the UN General Assembly could therefore prove important in determining whether the confrontation moves back towards negotiations or another round of direct military escalation.