DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Iran said on Friday that its response to any new US threats would be “devastating” after Washington pledged to impose the toughest financial penalties in history with the aim of toppling the Iranian leadership.
US Treasury chief Scott Bessent’s comments on Thursday followed a warning from President Donald Trump of economic consequences against any country that provided “any type of lifeline to Iran.” Bessent promised details on Monday.
The chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, said the Islamic Republic’s reaction would be broad and decisive.
“With preparedness across land, sea, air, air defense and cyberspace, Iran’s armed forces will respond to the enemy’s new threats with crushing, punishing and devastating responses,” Abdollahi was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
Iran’s powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the country’s main negotiator in mediated negotiations with the United States, said Washington appeared to have concluded it could not prevail in its direct military confrontation.
