"Leave our region if you want to be safe": Iran warns US amid escalating tensions

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stark warning to the United States on Wednesday, advising the U.S. to "leave" the Arabian Gulf region for its own safety as tensions escalate.

Araghchi stated that Iran's armed forces would retaliate against any attack or threat, asserting that "intruding outsiders" in the Arabian Gulf have historically faced severe consequences. He posted on X, "Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination. Our Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered. Leave our region if you want to be safe. History of the Arabian Gulf has many chapters on dire fates of intruding outsiders."

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Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the U.S. opted to test our determination. Our Powerful Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered. Leave our region if you want to be safe. History of the Arabian Gulf has many chapters on dire fates of intruding outsiders.

This warning comes after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces initiated self-defense strikes against Iran. These strikes were a response to what CENTCOM described as "unjustified Iranian aggression," following the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. CENTCOM clarified the strikes were a "proportional response" directed by the Commander in Chief.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the incident, stating that an Iranian strike had downed a U.S. Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that both pilots were safe but emphasized that the United States would "respond" to the attack. The escalating hostilities also involve recent strikes between Iran and Israel, including an attack on an Iranian petrochemical facility and reported targeting of Israeli military bases.

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I have just been informed by our Great Military that last night the Iranians shot down one of our highly sophisticated Apache Helicopters while patrolling over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots involved, both are safe and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must, of necessity, respond to this attack. Thank you for your attention to this matter!