TEHRAN: Iran’s army warned Tuesday it would open new fronts against the United States if Washington resumes military action, after President Donald Trump said he had delayed an offensive in hopes of reaching a deal.
Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia told Iran’s ISNA news agency that “if the enemy is foolish enough to fall into the Zionist trap again and launches new aggression against our beloved Iran, we will open new fronts against it, with new equipment and new methods.”
The warning came as Washington and Tehran continue to exchange proposals aimed at ending the Middle East war that erupted Feb. 28. The two sides have held one round of talks under a fragile ceasefire that began April 8.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had urged him to hold off on a planned military strike against Iran “in that serious negotiations are now taking place.”
He added that U.S. forces remain prepared “to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.”
Akraminia said Iran had used the ceasefire to strengthen its combat capabilities and reiterated that Tehran maintains control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which it has closed and seeks to charge ships to traverse. “The only way for the enemy is to respect the Iranian nation and observe the legitimate rights of the Islamic republic,” he said.
On Monday, Iran said it had responded to a new U.S. proposal, though Iranian media described Washington’s demands as excessive. Fars news agency reported the U.S. had presented a five-point list, including a requirement that Iran keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the United States.
The report said Washington refused to release even a portion of Iran’s frozen assets abroad or pay reparations for war damage, and would only cease hostilities if Tehran entered formal peace talks.
Iran has insisted on its own conditions, including the release of frozen assets, lifting of long-standing sanctions and war reparations.
