Senior Iranian commanders warned the United States and Israel of a “more crushing” response if they renew attacks on the country, according to Iranian media.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.
Why It Matters
Diplomacy has stalled with Iran threatening to ramp up its nuclear program, increasing the risks for the collapse of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel and threatening a broader military escalation in which the U.S. could become directly involved.
Iran could also escalate attacks on American targets in Middle East ally countries, as it did with the Qatari-based Al-Udeid base, following the bombing of its key nuclear facilities.
Vahid Salemi/AP Photo
What To Know
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Armed Forces issued warnings against new attacks.
IRGC Spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini on Wednesday said Iran will have a “far more crushing, destructive, and unprecedented” response than retaliatory operations against the U.S. and Israel in June, according to Fars News Agency.
Following Israeli strikes on nuclear, military and residential infrastructure launched in mid-June, Iran launched barrages of missiles that struck Israeli territory. The 12-day conflict killed at least 28 people in Israel and 935 in Iran, according to authorities in each country.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi made the same warning against both countries, referred to as “enemies,” the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
A dispute over uranium enrichment levels is shadowing future nuclear talks and more lasting peace negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says his country is open for diplomacy if the U.S. promises not to renew attacks, but Iran has said it is determined to pursue uranium enrichment while the United States says it will not allow it.
Uranium enrichment can lead to nuclear weapons, but Iran says that is not its goal.
What People Are Saying
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran’s Army Chief of Staff, as quoted by IRNA: “In the event of any evil act from the enemies, our response will be more crushing than before.”
Joint Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers on Tuesday: “We reaffirm that the Islamic Republic of Iran can never have nuclear weapons, and urge Iran to refrain from reconstituting its unjustified enrichment activities. We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear program.”
What Happens Next
President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu will discuss Iran during a meeting next week at The White House. Depending on how diplomacy evolves in the meantime, that could also be a step towards further conflict.
