Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday Iran will give a "comprehensive and regret-inducing" response to any aggression.
He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran in response to U.S. military movements in West Asia and its ongoing joint drills with Gulf states.
Regrading the recent U.S. military deployments in the region and the imposition of new sanctions on Iran, Baghaei said that Iran has continued to face a "hybrid war" orchestrated by the United States.
He reiterated that U.S.'s enmity toward Iran remains unchanged, citing last year's attacks and the use of "economic terrorism" to undermine Iran's economy.
Stressing that the arrival of U.S. naval force in the region will not waver Iran's resolve to defend its sovereignty and its people, Baghaei said the Iranian military is closely monitoring the developments, and continuously enhancing its capabilities.
He also condemned the U.S. decision to dispatch troops and issue threats in the Middle East, saying that it violates international norms.
Such provocations directly threaten the security of all nations in the region, Baghaei warned.
"Regional countries understand that insecurity in one part of the region doesn't affect only Iran. This instability is contagious. Iran remains confident in its own strength and remember the lessons from last June's conflict. We will respond more forcefully than ever before to any act of aggression," said Baghaei.
At the press conference, Baghaei also took aim at Israel, calling its military actions and threats the root cause of instability in West Asia.
Though a ceasefire agreement was reportedly in place, the international community has continued to witness Israeli aggression against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, he noted.
When asked whether Iran would consider negotiations with the United States amid heightened speculation about a potential military strike, Baghaei stressed that Iran has "never abandoned diplomacy" as a means of resolving disputes.
However, he said that it was the United States that first undermined past nuclear negotiations.
Baghaei said that, given the current circumstances, Iran has already begun engaging with regional countries through diplomatic channels.
He also warned that should a conflict erupt, Iran would not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense and would act decisively to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Iran says to give "comprehensive, regret-inducing" response to any aggression
Iran says to give "comprehensive, regret-inducing" response to any aggression
