Iran warns of ‘painful’ attacks if US launches fresh strikes; America issues travel advisory

Iran, suspecting the US of planning a new round of strikes in its territory, has warned the Donald Trump administration of “continuous, effective and painful” attacks on American bases and interests in the region if Washington resumes military actions against Tehran.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s central military command, gave the warning in a statement carried by state-run IRNA on Sunday (local time), ANI reported.

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“Should the United States make any mistake against the Islamic Republic of Iran, all its bases and interests in the region will be targeted in continuous, effective and painful attacks without any limitations or consideration,” the statement said.

Iran suspects the US of planning fresh strikes against it with the backing of some regional countries.

Iran’s military command has also issued a parallel warning to its neighbours in the Middle East, stating that those aligning with US interests would be treated as participants in the conflict and could no longer expect restraint from Iranian forces.

‘Won’t reopen Strait of Hormuz’

Amid a possible escalation of the conflict, Iran has refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or return to the previous framework of talks with the US.

According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that Tehran will not resume peace talks with the US until Washington meets Iran’s conditions.

Also read: What are Iran’s 7 conditions for the US to resume peace talks?

“Our messages and conditions have been conveyed explicitly to the other side through intermediaries…And until these conditions are met, the inalienable rights of the Iranian nation are recognised, and the Americans fulfil their commitments, there will be no possibility of a return to the previous negotiation framework or to open the Strait of Hormuz,” Al Jazeera quoted Ghalibaf as saying.

US warns nationals against travel to Iran

The US meanwhile has warned its citizens against travelling to Iran, urging those in the country to leave immediately amid rising tensions and possibility of escalation in West Asia.

“Do not travel to Iran for any reason. US citizens should leave Iran now,” a security alert issued by the US Virtual Embassy in Iran said.

The advisory also warned US citizens that the procedures at Iran’s land borders could change with little notice while advising them to check the entry requirements of countries they may seek to enter.

Trump warns Iran of serious consequences

US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Iran of serious consequences if Tehran does not “behave”.

“My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up? They had better behave,” he said while speaking in an interview with Fox News.

Also read: 'There was no parachute': US airman recalls surviving 50 hours in Iran after F-15E crash

The US president said that he can explore several options before him – he could either destroy the country, allow it to collapse economically, or seek a diplomatic resolution.

He also predicted that “very big things are going to be happening in the not-so-distant future.”