TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stern warning on October 3, 2023, stating that any military aggression against Iran would be met with a harsh response. This declaration follows a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested potential military action if Iran continues to advance its nuclear program.
During a post-meeting press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again,” Trump stated, asserting, “If they are, we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that’s not happening.”
Escalating Tensions Between Iran and the U.S.
Pezeshkian’s comments came a day after Trump’s remarks, emphasizing the heightened tensions between the two nations. The Iranian president did not provide specific details about the country’s military response but reinforced that any act of aggression would be met with significant force. “The answer of the Islamic Republic of Iran to any cruel aggression will be harsh and discouraging,” he communicated via the social media platform X.
The backdrop to these escalating tensions includes a recent air conflict in June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,100 Iranians, including senior military figures and scientists. Iran’s subsequent missile strikes reportedly killed 28 individuals in Israel. Trump indicated that if Iran were confirmed to be reconstituting its nuclear capabilities, the U.S. would respond with even greater force than previously seen. “If it’s confirmed, they know the consequences, and the consequences will be very powerful, maybe more powerful than the last time,” he stated.
Nuclear Program and Diplomatic Stalemate
Despite the rising tensions, Iran maintains that it is no longer enriching uranium at any of its facilities, signaling a willingness to negotiate regarding its nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran last operated an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003. Nevertheless, Iran has enriched uranium levels up to 60%, which is just a short technical step away from achieving weapons-grade levels of 90%.
Pezeshkian emphasized on September 30, 2023, that Iran finds itself in a “full-scale war” with the U.S., Israel, and European nations, alleging that these countries do not wish to see stability in Iran. As diplomatic relations remain strained, the international community watches closely as both sides navigate this precarious situation.
