IRAN: Mission To UN Says Iran Will "Respond Like Never Before" If Attacked

Iranian mission to the United Nations posts on X: "Last time the U.S. blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7 trillion and lost more than 7,000 American lives. Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests—BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!"

• This comes in direct response to US President Donald Trump, who posted earlier on Truth Social that if Iran does not come to the negotiating table regarding its nuclear weapons programme, it risks an attack "far worse" than Operation Midnight Hammer, the airstrikes on nuclear and military facilities launched in June 2025. See IRAN: Trump Threatens Tehran: "Next Attack Will Be Far Worse"
• Recent reports suggest that, alongside the deployment of a carrier strike force led by the USS Abraham Lincoln in range of Iran, the US has sent Israel messages regarding the prospect of action against Iran.
• Israel's Channel 14 reported on 27 Jan, The American message claims that preparations for the attack will be completed soon, and that a window of opportunity for it could be in the months ahead. [...] the Americans added that this does not mean that they are waiting for the preparations to be completed and that an attack from their perspective could happen even before that."
• Iranian responses could range from direct Iranian missile strikes on the US' Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, to attacks launched against US forces in Iraq or Syria from Iranian-backed militia in the region, to missile barrages against Israel. In an extreme event, Iran could close the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping channel in the Gulf.