Iran warns it will retaliate hard if US resumes strikes

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has warned that Tehran would launch a fierce response if the United States resumes military action, issuing an ultimatum aimed at ending the eight-month conflict between the two countries.

In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Araghchi said Iran's two-day proposal remained on the table, calling for an end to fighting on all fronts in exchange for progress, but cautioned that choosing further conflict would result in a forceful response from Iran's armed forces.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that further strikes on Iran were unlikely if talks advanced regarding Iran's nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking in a phone interview reported by CNN, Trump indicated that any decision would hinge on whether Iran agreed to a robust deal, while noting he would resume strikes if necessary given the scale of previous US action.

Trump added that the US currently has three aircraft carriers stationed in the region on standby, ready to strike again if required. He also said the US had identified 38 bridges in Iran that could be destroyed within an hour if needed.

Iran's Foreign Ministry separately cited Araghchi as saying that American targets in the region would not be spared.

The warnings follow reports from Iranian state media that an oil tanker caught fire after striking a naval mine east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran's navy.