Iran’s leadership warned on Sunday that any U.S. military strike could trigger a broader regional conflict, escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. In a retaliatory move, Iran also labelled European Union military forces as “terrorist groups.”
The United States has increased its naval deployment in the Middle East after President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened military action unless Iran agrees to a nuclear deal and halts the killing of protesters. Despite the heightened standoff, both Washington and Tehran have indicated openness to restarting negotiations, whilst regional partners such as Turkey have called for de-escalation.
An Iranian official dismissed earlier reports from state-run Press TV claiming the Revolutionary Guards’ naval forces planned live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, saying no such exercises were scheduled and that the reports were inaccurate.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking through state media, said Iran would not be intimidated by U.S. military deployments. He emphasised that Iran does not intend to initiate conflict but would respond forcefully to any aggression.
The U.S. Navy currently has six destroyers, an aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships stationed in the region, raising concerns about the potential for conflict following Iran’s deadly suppression of nationwide protests in January.
Reports indicate that Trump is weighing several options, including targeted strikes on Iranian security forces.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters that Iran was engaged in serious discussions with Washington, shortly after Iran’s senior security official Ali Larijani said on social media that preparations for talks were underway. Trump expressed hope for a negotiated settlement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran, meanwhile, has said it is willing to enter “fair” negotiations that would not limit its defensive capabilities.
The protests, initially sparked by economic grievances before evolving into one of the most serious political challenges to Iran’s leadership since 1979, have since subsided following a government crackdown.
Official figures put the protest-related death toll at 3,117, whilst a U.S.-based rights group reported verifying 6,713 deaths. The figures could not be independently verified.
In response to the crackdown, the European Union designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation on Thursday.
Iran’s parliament responded on Sunday, with Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf announcing that EU military forces would also be labelled terrorist organisations and that authorities would consider expelling EU military attachés. He criticised Europe’s move, telling lawmakers that targeting the IRGC had backfired.
Following his remarks, lawmakers wearing IRGC uniforms voiced strong anti-U.S. and anti-European slogans in parliament.
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