BISHKEK: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that Tehran would immediately reciprocate if Washington returned to its commitments under an interim agreement signed in June, amid renewed military exchanges between Iran and the United States.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Pezeshkian said Iran remained prepared to implement the Memorandum of Understanding if the US fulfilled its obligations.
His remarks followed the first direct exchange of attacks between the two countries since late July. The US struck Iran’s Larak Island, while Tehran subsequently said it attacked sites hosting American forces in Jordan.
Iran Warns of Heavier Response to Further US Strikes
Meanwhile, Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that Tehran would target any location used to launch further American attacks.
The military bodies said Iran respected neighbouring countries’ sovereignty but would not tolerate attacks originating from their territory, airspace or facilities.
Furthermore, they warned that another US attack would trigger a “much heavier” response.
Axios separately reported that US Central Command had developed options for limited strikes against Iranian missile and radar capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz. However, the reported plan had not received presidential approval before the latest exchange.
Economic Pressure and Hormuz Tensions Intensify
Iranian Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati, meanwhile, rejected claims that sanctions had exhausted Tehran’s foreign currency resources, saying the central bank could inject $2 billion into the foreign exchange market.
Additionally, Iran criticised the European Union for supporting Washington’s sanctions campaign, accusing Brussels of surrendering its independence to US pressure.
Tensions also remained high around the Strait of Hormuz after the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that three unidentified projectiles struck a tanker exiting the waterway off Oman.
No casualties or environmental damage were reported.
Despite the escalation, Pezeshkian’s remarks signalled that Tehran continues to leave open a diplomatic route based on restoring the June agreement.
