DUBAI — Iran warned on Friday that it would retaliate against any new attacks on its territory, as fighting with the United States entered a new phase despite earlier diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.
Iranian officials said any strike on the country's territory would draw what they described as a reciprocal response from the armed forces. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said attacks on any part of Iran would be regarded as aggression and would be met with retaliation, reiterating Tehran's position that the country's territorial integrity would be defended.
The warning came after another night of U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, part of an escalating exchange that has intensified regional security concerns and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. military officials said the latest operations were intended to further degrade Iranian military capabilities, while Iran condemned the attacks as illegal and accused Washington of expanding the conflict.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched retaliatory operations against U.S. facilities in the region. Iranian state media reported a strike near the al-Tanf area in eastern Syria, describing it as retaliation for recent U.S. actions. A Syrian military source confirmed an attack near the area but said it did not hit the base and caused no casualties or damage. Reuters could not independently verify Iran's account.
Iranian military officials also renewed warnings over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy exports, saying continued attacks could have broader consequences for regional security. The exchange of military action has contributed to heightened risks for commercial shipping and increased concern in global energy markets.
Washington has maintained that its operations are directed at military infrastructure and are intended to limit Iran's ability to conduct further attacks. U.S. officials have not indicated any immediate change in military objectives, while continuing to monitor Iranian retaliatory actions across the region.
The latest escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire framework that had briefly reduced hostilities. Diplomatic efforts to restore negotiations have so far failed to halt the exchange of strikes, with both sides continuing military operations while issuing public warnings against further escalation. As of Friday, neither government had announced new talks or an agreement to suspend military action.
