Iran says the “rules of the game have changed” and vows a tougher response

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the country will respond more forcefully to attacks, declaring that the “rules of the game have changed” in the conflict with the United States.

Speaking on Sunday, Qalibaf said every attack on Iran’s interests and security would receive a faster, harsher and more painful response. He said Washington should understand that the era of proportional reactions had ended, adding that recent attacks on US bases were only the beginning.

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The rules of the game have changed.

Qalibaf also pointed to Iran’s difficult economic situation. Exchange-rate fluctuations, inflation and unemployment were placing heavy pressure on people’s livelihoods, he said. He described internal cohesion and external deterrence as key tools in the confrontation with the United States, and warned that statements or actions weakening either would contradict the recommendations of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

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The era of proportional reactions is over.

His remarks came after another military escalation in waters around Iran and a new US military tactic. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the US Central Command, said that if Iran fired on two US ships, the United States would impose even higher economic costs by disabling three Iranian ships. US forces, he said, were ready to destroy Iran’s limited and unprotected oil fleet.

The US military reportedly attacked and disabled three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday. CENTCOM said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had earlier fired ballistic missiles at two US warships, but caused no damage.

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If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose even higher economic costs on you by taking out three of your ships.