Iran vows strong response to US aggression as Hormuz tensions escalate

Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States, stating that any new act of militarism would trigger an unimaginable response. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, addressed lawmakers to assert that the nation would not yield to pressure if it faced another attack.

Speaking to parliament, Qalibaf emphasized that the Iranian government would not be intimidated by American military threats. He insisted that the country would protect what it defines as its territorial integrity against external coercion.

According to a report by the Tasnim news agency, Qalibaf remarked that the Americans believe they can force Iran to surrender through media pressure and military threats. He countered this view by stating that the current Iran is not the nation of the Pahlavi era, describing it instead as an impregnable fortress of self-confidence and iron will.

The parliament speaker further declared that Iran is ready to respond forcefully to any violation of its territory. He maintained that threats of a broader war would not compel the country to abandon its core interests. Qalibaf argued that until the United States changes its behavior and compensates for violated obligations in a concrete way, no claim by the Islamic Republic would have credibility.

This warning arrived one day after US President Donald Trump suggested that Washington might strike Iran as soon as Sunday or alternatively reach a significant agreement with Tehran. The remarks were made as tensions continued to rise regarding the future management of the Strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday, the Iranian army reported that its air defense systems shot down a US LUCAS drone over Bandar Abbas. This port city is located in southern Iran, in close proximity to the strategic strait.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the conflict with the US and Israel has fundamentally altered the security situation in the region. In remarks reported by the Anadolu Agency and citing Press TV, Araghchi noted that the management of the strait would not return to its previous state.

Araghchi explained that the current war has created new realities that must be acknowledged. He specified that shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz will no longer operate as they did in the past. The foreign minister added that Tehran would welcome security arrangements developed by regional countries rather than those imposed by outside powers.

The waterway, situated between Iran and Oman, is one of the most critical in the world. It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making its security vital for international energy shipments.

Iran and the United States remain divided on how the strait should be managed following the conflict. Tehran has asserted its authority over passage through the waterway, while Washington has called for unrestricted navigation. Although the two nations signed an interim deal in June to resolve the dispute, diplomatic negotiations have since stalled amid renewed tensions.