Iran warns any new US attack will trigger ‘much heavier’ response

Iran will immediately reciprocate if the US returns to its commitments under an interim deal signed in June, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, the Iranian Student News Agency reported.

His statements come as earlier Iran warned on Monday that any site used to launch US attacks on its territory would be targeted, accusing Washington of continuing to use the territory, airspace, and facilities of regional countries to launch strikes on Iran.

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued the warning in a joint statement, saying the US had continued such operations despite previous warnings and assurances from some countries in the region.

The two military bodies said Tehran respects the sovereignty of neighbouring states but “will never tolerate aggression,” warning that any further attack would draw a “much heavier” response.

They pointed to attacks carried out overnight by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army as an example of that response.

“The US has no choice but to leave the region,” the statement said.

Read: US to respond to Iranian attacks on forces in Middle East: Trump

It also warned those facilitating US military action that the IRGC and Iranian army would jointly strike the source of any attack with “overwhelming force.”

“Do not test” the resolve of Iran’s armed forces again, the statement added.

US weighs limited strikes on Iran to curb missile, radar rebuild in Hormuz: report

The US is weighing limited military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran from rebuilding radar and missile systems used to threaten shipping, Axios reported on Monday.

Citing three American officials, Axios reported that US Central Command drafted the plan over the past week and that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth backed it.

The plan had not received presidential approval before this weekend's exchange of fire with Iran, but officials said that could change following the latest escalation, according to the report.

One official said the objective was to reduce the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers, US Navy ships and Air Force aircraft, describing the approach as an effort "to mow the lawn."

"The President retains all options at his disposal. The Iranians want to make a deal, but they are always a day late and a dollar short," a White House official told Axios.

Officials cited a recent incident in which an Iranian anti-aircraft missile was fired toward a US F-35 escorting ships in the strait as raising concerns over Iran's military capacity.

Read more: Iran war depletes US military stockpiles, limiting global deterrence: report

They said Sunday's Iranian missile attacks on US bases in Jordan, following a US strike on Iranian troops, could affect US President Donald Trump's decision.

Trump, meanwhile, told Fox News that the US would "hit them hard" in response.

Trump says Strait of Hormuz in 'extremely good shape,' touts '30 ships a night' passing through

Trump said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is in "extremely good shape," claiming US naval assistance has helped an average of 30 ships pass through each night.

"We have the Strait of Hormuz in extremely good shape. You know, we're taking over," Trump told reporters at the Oval Office.

"Many, many ships got through last night. As you know, with the Navy's assistance, and we've been averaging 30 ships a night. That's a lot, and a lot of oil coming out. That's why you haven't seen the price of oil go like they thought it might have to go," he said.

Trump also described Iran as a "failed nation," citing what he said was 350% inflation, the lack of a functioning currency and difficulties paying Iranian soldiers.

"They're a failed nation. They've got 350% inflation. They have no currency. They're not paying their soldiers. Their leaders are largely dead. Their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Their surveillance equipment is almost entirely gone," he said, adding, "That doesn't mean we won't smack them. We'll see what happens."

He said that Iran's leadership structure was unclear. "I don't really think they know who their leader is."