Iran Warns of Ferocious Response if the U.S. Strikes — Tensions Rise as Diplomacy Continues
Iran’s government issued a stark warning on Monday, saying it would respond “ferociously” if the United States were to launch any kind of attack — even a limited strike — in the escalating standoff over its nuclear program.
The warning came as officials from both countries prepared to resume indirect talks in Geneva this week, hoping to explore a diplomatic path forward after months of pressure and threats. A U.S. official confirmed that discussions will resume on Thursday.
Even with that diplomatic avenue open, tensions remain high. Recent comments from U.S. leadership suggested limited military action is still being considered if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal. Iran’s foreign ministry responded firmly, saying any strike would be viewed as aggression and met with forceful retaliation.
A ministry spokesperson said Iran sees itself defending its sovereignty and will respond strongly to what it perceives as unjustified attacks.
At the same time, Iran says it plans to share a draft proposal on its nuclear program with mediators soon. The U.S. has given Iran a firm deadline, urging swift action toward an agreement. Iran insists its nuclear activities are peaceful, but Western nations fear they could be used to develop weapons.
Talks so far have focused broadly on the nuclear issue, but the U.S. also wants to address Iran’s missile program and its support for regional groups — topics Tehran has so far kept off the table. The latest round of indirect negotiations, held in Switzerland last week with Oman’s help, was a step back into dialogue.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister called the return to talks an important opportunity, but also warned that any military action could quickly spark a wider regional conflict. He stressed that the fallout from such aggression would spread beyond Iran’s borders, and that those who initiate or support attacks would bear responsibility.
The climate of fear has affected many people both inside and outside Iran. Several countries — including India, Sweden, Poland, Serbia, and Australia — have asked their citizens to leave Iran as a safety precaution. The United States also ordered some non‑essential embassy staff out of Lebanon amid concerns tied to Iran‑linked groups in the region.
In a recent TV interview, a U.S. negotiator questioned why Iran hasn’t given in under mounting pressure. Iranian officials responded by highlighting their nation’s long history of resisting outside domination.
At a global disarmament meeting in Geneva on Monday, China publicly criticized what it described as “unilateral bullying” and urged that force not be used in international relations — reflecting broader global unease about the possibility of conflict.
Meanwhile, unrest inside Iran continues to simmer. New protests have erupted on university campuses, where students have been seen burning the national flag and chanting slogans against the government. These rallies echo a wave of nationwide demonstrations that began months ago over economic hardship and were met with a harsh security crackdown.
Human rights groups estimate thousands were killed during those earlier protests, though Iranian authorities say the violence was fueled by outside influences and framed much of it as extremist activity.
In recent days, both pro‑ and anti‑government gatherings have brought more displays of dissent — including the burning of U.S. and Israeli flags — and occasional clashes between rival groups.
The situation remains tense and uncertain, with diplomacy and confrontation both playing out on the world stage.