After Trump's threats, Iran warns the US: "be careful"

Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging caution regarding President Donald Trump's threats. Mohammad Ghalibaf, identified as a key figure in Iran, dismissed the U.S. threats as ineffective, questioning why the U.S. would be in a "desperate position" if its threats held sway. "We do not take American threats to heart," Ghalibaf stated, adding that Iran's armed forces are prepared for a response. "They should be careful choosing their words; our armed forces are ready to react to them differently. It doesn't matter what they say – we take action."

The exchange followed a statement by Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, demanding that Iran immediately stop its proxies in Lebanon from causing unrest. Trump explicitly threatened further, more severe strikes on Iran if this demand was not met, referencing previous actions taken the prior week. These tensions arise amidst ongoing efforts to de-escalate conflicts, particularly concerning clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, a group supported by Tehran. These clashes have repeatedly jeopardized peace efforts.

Adding another layer of complexity, the U.S. and Iran were reportedly engaged in negotiations in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at reaching a preliminary agreement to end the war. Iran's Fars news agency reported that these talks were suspended due to Trump's threats, although this has not been officially confirmed by any sources. A memorandum signed earlier this month between Iran and the U.S. explicitly states in its first article that both parties commit to "refrain from the threat of force or the use of force against each other."