Iran warns US of ‘several times greater’ response to any attack
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that any limited military action against the country would trigger a response “several times greater”, saying its armed forces were prepared to retaliate.
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi dismissed what he described as hostile rhetoric, saying those issuing threats lacked the ability to carry out an effective operation under the current circumstances, the Fars news agency reported on Saturday.
“They know better than anyone that, under the current circumstances, they cannot conduct an effective operation and certainly will not achieve their objectives,” Mohebbi said.
He warned that any repeat of previous military action would end in defeat, adding that Iran’s armed forces were prepared to respond with greater force.
“Even if the enemy makes a limited move, Iran’s response will be several times greater, given the armed forces’ existing readiness and operational plans,” he said.
The warning came after US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack said Washington could “absolutely” strike Iran as soon as this weekend, while US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of the possibility raised by his envoy.
“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” Barrack said in an interview, clips of which circulated online on Friday.
He also serves as the US special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq.
Asked about Barrack’s remarks and whether he had changed his position on delaying possible strikes until after the November 3 midterm elections, Trump appeared surprised.
“That was my ambassador?” Trump asked, adding: “He’s a pretty powerful man, I guess. Well, if that’s the case, I don’t know anything about it.”
Separately, US media reports have said Washington and Israel have developed plans to strike Iran after the midterm elections.
The US-Israeli war against Iran, which began with strikes in February, remains unresolved despite a ceasefire and a memorandum aimed at finalising a peace deal.
Disagreements over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz have been a major obstacle to a settlement.