Iran has warned it will respond immediately and forcefully to any US military action while insisting it remains open to negotiating a new nuclear deal, underscoring the sharp escalation in rhetoric between Tehran and Washington. The warning came after US President Donald Trump said time was running out to avoid a confrontation and claimed American forces were preparing for potential military action.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country’s armed forces had their “fingers on the trigger” and would “powerfully respond” to any US strikes. At the same time, he signalled willingness to pursue diplomacy, stressing that Iran was open to a “mutually beneficial, fair and equitable” nuclear agreement that would recognise its right to peaceful nuclear technology and rule out nuclear weapons.

In a post on X, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s long-standing position that it has never sought nuclear arms, arguing that such weapons have no place in Iran’s security doctrine. Earlier, he cautioned that diplomacy pursued through military threats would not be effective, even as he echoed Trump’s language by saying he hoped Iran could “come to the table” to negotiate a deal acceptable to all parties.

Also Read: Trump to Iran: Negotiate Nuclear Deal Now or Face Deadly Consequences

Other senior Iranian figures struck a more confrontational tone. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that any US military action would be considered the start of a war and would trigger an “immediate, all-out and unprecedented” response, including strikes targeting Israel. His remarks followed Trump’s claim that a “massive armada” of US naval vessels was moving toward waters near Iran.

The tensions come amid intense international scrutiny of Iran following weeks of anti-government protests that have drawn a violent crackdown. Rights groups have reported thousands killed and tens of thousands arrested, prompting Western governments to impose sanctions and intensify pressure on Tehran. Germany and France have also backed moves within the European Union to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Despite the escalating threats, regional and international actors have urged restraint. Iran has reached out to US allies in the Middle East, while officials in Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have called for de-escalation. As diplomatic channels remain open alongside military warnings, the standoff reflects a volatile mix of confrontation and cautious signalling around Iran’s nuclear programme and the wider regional crisis.

Also Read: Iran Declares Resolve to Repel Foreign Threats in Face of US Pressure Over Protests