Iran prepares a tougher response to possible new US strikes
Iran is preparing for a larger and harsher response if the US renews major military attacks. The Iranian leadership is simultaneously continuing diplomatic contacts with Washington, although inside Tehran the prospects of reaching an agreement are assessed cautiously, Reuters reports, citing three senior Iranian officials and a source familiar with the discussions.
According to the agency's sources, Iran's military command is considering expanding the range of potential targets. If a new large-scale American operation occurs, the response could affect not only facilities directly linked to the US, but also countries that would support American military actions. The possibility of actions outside the Middle East is also being discussed. No final decision has been made yet.
Preparations intensified after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's return from New York. Senior officials and military officers are discussing the possible scale and timing of a response in case of a new Washington strike. Two Reuters sources claim that Tehran-allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq have also been instructed to prepare for possible participation in retaliatory actions.
At the same time, Tehran is not abandoning negotiations. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Iran conveyed a proposal to the US through Qatari mediators, which, according to the Iranian side, could lead to a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Among Tehran's demands are lifting the American blockade of Iranian ports, unfreezing at least $12 billion in frozen funds, and easing oil sanctions.
US President Donald Trump stated that the initial Iranian proposal was rejected. At the same time, Iranian state media reported that on September 29, Washington conveyed its response through Qatar, which Tehran is now considering. One of the main points of disagreement remains Iran's nuclear program: the American side wants to include it in the negotiations, while Tehran insists on the fulfillment of its preconditions before starting such a dialogue.
The new escalation also matters for the global energy market. Iran and its affiliated forces have already used pressure on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz area, through which significant volumes of global oil trade pass. The continuation of the conflict simultaneously increases pressure on the Iranian economy, since American restrictions have substantially reduced the country's ability to export oil.
Based on materials from: Reuters
