Iran vows 'ferocious' response to any US strike

Tehran (Web Desk/Agencies): Iran issued a stern warning on Monday, declaring that any US military strike, no matter how small, would provoke a “ferocious” response. The statement followed comments from President Donald Trump that he was considering limited attacks against the country.

The United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East as a show of pressure on Iran, ahead of negotiations set to resume on Thursday.

Tehran’s foreign ministry emphasized that even a minor attack “would be regarded as an act of aggression. Period.” Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, speaking at a briefing in Tehran said, adding that “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.”

This warning comes after the second round of indirect talks in Switzerland, mediated by Oman, concluded on Tuesday. Both Iran and Oman have confirmed that another round is scheduled for Thursday, though the United States has not publicly confirmed it.

The European Union (EU), largely excluded from the mediation process, urged a diplomatic resolution to prevent further escalation.

“We don’t need another war in this region. We already have a lot,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of a meeting with EU foreign ministers. “It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.”

Iran has maintained that discussions should focus solely on its nuclear program. Western nations fear the program could be intended to develop a nuclear weapon, an accusation Tehran denies. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading Iran’s negotiating team, while the United States is represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Witkoff told Fox News over the weekend that Trump is puzzled by Iran’s refusal to “capitulate” despite the US military buildup. Baqaei responded by asserting that Iranians “have never capitulated at any point in their history.”

Trump initially threatened military action in response to the violent suppression of domestic protests, which rights groups say resulted in thousands of deaths, but his focus has since shifted to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Protests continue across the country despite crackdowns, with students taking to the streets over the weekend to honor those killed in rival pro- and anti-government demonstrations.

Growing fears of conflict have led multiple foreign governments to advise their citizens to leave Iran.