IRAN WARNS OF ‘FEROCIOUS’ RESPONSE TO ANY US STRIKE
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Agency Report
Iran on Monday vowed to retaliate “ferociously” against any attack by the United States, escalating tensions after US President Donald Trump warned he was considering possible strikes if Tehran failed to reach a deal over its nuclear programme.
The sharp exchange came as both countries prepared for indirect talks in Geneva aimed at reviving negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities. A US official confirmed discussions would resume on Thursday.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said even a limited strike would be regarded as “an act of aggression.”
“Any state would react to an act of aggression… ferociously, so that’s what we would do,” Baqaei said.
Trump had stated last week that Iran had at most 15 days to make a deal, raising the possibility of a limited military strike if no agreement was reached.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, while Western powers suspect it is aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has said it is prepared to submit a draft proposal to mediators in the coming days but has rejected expanding negotiations beyond the nuclear issue. Washington, however, wants discussions to also cover Iran’s missile programme and its support for regional militant groups.
The two sides concluded a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland last week under Omani mediation.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi described the resumption of talks as “a new window of opportunity,” but warned that any renewed aggression could spark a wider regional conflict.
“The consequences of any renewed aggression wouldn’t remain confined to one country and responsibility would rest with those who initiate or support such actions,” he said.
Amid mounting fears of escalation, several countries, including India, Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia — have urged their citizens to leave Iran as a precaution.
The renewed tensions come as Iran also faces internal unrest, with university students staging fresh anti-government protests following demonstrations earlier in the year that were met with a deadly crackdown.
The United States, meanwhile, ordered non-emergency personnel to leave its embassy in Lebanon, home to the Shiite militia Hezbollah, which maintains close ties to Iran.
In an interview with Fox News broadcast at the weekend, US negotiator Steve Witkoff said Trump was wondering why Iran has not “capitulated” in the face of Washington’s military threats and force deployment.
Baqaei responded Monday by saying that Iranians had never capitulated at any point in their history.
China has warned Washington against triggering new conflicts.
On Monday, at a disarmament conference in Geneva, Chinese ambassador Shen Jian said: “We oppose unilateral bullying and the use of force in international relations.”
The protests sparked in December by economic pains in the sanctions-hit country grew into the most significant challenge to the authorities in years.
They were put down by security forces as they peaked on January 8 and 9 with violence that left thousands dead. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) recorded more than 7,000 killings, while warning the toll is likely far higher.
Authorities acknowledge more than 3,000 deaths, but say the violence was caused by “terrorist acts” fuelled by the United States and Israel.
Protests sprung up again over the weekend at universities.
On Monday videos geolocated by AFP and circulated on social media showed students at a university in Tehran burning the Iranian flag — adopted after the 1979 Islamic revolution that toppled the monarchy — and chanting “down with the Islamic republic”.
University rallies were held by both pro- and anti-government groups to commemorate those killed in the protest wave, with videos also showing people burning Israeli and US flags as well as scuffles breaking out between groups.
AFP
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