Iran warns US that any strike would trigger forceful response

Iran on Monday warned that any military action by the United States, even a so-called limited strike, would be treated as outright aggression and met with a strong response. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump said he was weighing the possibility of targeted action if Tehran failed to reach an agreement with Washington.

Speaking at a press briefing in Tehran attended by an AFP journalist, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed the notion of a limited strike.

“There is no such thing as a limited strike,” he said. “An act of aggression is an act of aggression, full stop. Any country would respond decisively in exercising its inherent right to self-defence. We would do the same.”

On Friday, Trump told reporters he was considering military options if diplomatic efforts faltered. “I guess I can say I am considering that,” he said when asked about potential action against Iran.

The warning comes as the two sides navigate indirect negotiations in Switzerland, mediated by Oman, amid a significant US military build-up in the region. A second round of talks concluded on Tuesday, and further discussions are scheduled for Thursday, according to confirmations from Iran and Oman, though Washington has not publicly acknowledged the upcoming meeting.

Iran’s delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The United States is represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News, Witkoff said Trump was questioning why Iran had not “capitulated” despite Washington’s military deployments. Baqaei rejected that characterisation, stating that Iranians have never surrendered throughout their history.