Iran has issued a defiant statement, declaring that the United States and Israel cannot take any meaningful action against the country, despite their ongoing threats. The statement was made on Monday by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, who responded to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meeting in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu had reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Iran’s nuclear aspirations and countering its influence in the Middle East. He also claimed that Israel had dealt a significant blow to Iran since the start of the Gaza war, with strong backing from US President Donald Trump.
In a sharp response, Baghaei said, “You cannot threaten Iran on one hand and claim to support dialogue on the other hand,” emphasizing that Israel and the US were powerless against Iran. He stated that the two countries could not carry out any effective actions against Iran, as the country remains steadfast in its position.
This comes amid growing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. Former President Trump had previously initiated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, reinstating sanctions and pulling the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran retaliated by ramping up uranium enrichment and breaching the nuclear agreement.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticized the Trump administration for failing to honor its commitments and warned against any further attempts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Although the Biden administration has expressed a willingness to negotiate, Iran remains wary of the US, especially in light of past actions that led to strained relations.
As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, questioning the future of the nuclear deal and the broader political dynamics in the Middle East.