Tensions between Iran and the United States seemed to escalate after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Wednesday that its forces would retaliate strongly to any US military operation

Tensions between Iran and the United States seemed to escalate after Iranian Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi warned on Wednesday that its forces would retaliate strongly to any US military operation. While Araghchi claimed that ‘Tehran’s fingers on the trigger’, he did not rule out a new deal on the country’s nuclear programme.

“Our brave Armed Forces are prepared – with their fingers on the trigger – to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression against our beloved land, air, and sea,” the Iranian foreign minister said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “At the same time, Iran has always welcomed a mutually beneficial, fair and equitable NUCLEAR DEAL – on equal footing, and free from coercion, threats, and intimidation – which ensures Iran’s rights to PEACEFUL nuclear technology, and guarantees NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS,” he furthered.

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The remarks from the Iranian diplomat came right after US President Donald Trump warned the West Asian nation that its
‘time is running out’ to negotiate a nuclear deal. The US president said a “massive Armada” was “moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose” towards Iran, referring to a large US naval fleet.

Trump’s warning

It is pertinent to note that Trump’s latest warning followed his promise that Washington would intervene to help those involved in the brutal and unprecedented crackdown on protests in the country earlier this month. “Help is on the way,” he said, before later changing his tune and saying he had been told on good authority that the execution of demonstrators had stopped.

However, the American-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) confirmed the killing of more than 6,301 people, including 5,925 protesters, since the unrest began at the end of December. The body noted that it is also investigating another 17,000 reported deaths received despite an internet shutdown after nearly three weeks.

Meanwhile, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) has warned that the final toll could exceed 25,000. Interestingly, Trump’s latest comments on Iran appeared to focus more on the
country’s nuclear programme. “Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The American leader went on to maintain that the naval force in the Gulf was larger than the one he sent to
Venezuela before US forces seized the country’s former leader, Nicolás Maduro. Trump added that this force was “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfil its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary”.

With inputs from agencies.

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