Relations between Iran and the United States are witnessing a sharp escalation in political and military discourse, after Tehran warned that it would respond “strongly” to any American attack, regardless of its size, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he is considering directing limited strikes against the Islamic Republic if the negotiating path fails. On the other hand, European Union Foreign Affairs Officer Kaya Kallas said before a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, "We do not need another war in this region. We have many wars."
Published on: 02/23/2026 - 18:37 Last updated: 02/24/2026 - 04:44
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Iran confirmed on Monday that it would respond "strongly" to any American attack, regardless of its size, the day after US President Donald Trump announced that he was considering directing limited strikes against the Islamic Republic.
The United States has mobilized its forces in the Middle East to intensify pressure on Iran and push it to reach an agreement with it in negotiations that will resume Thursday in Switzerland.
In light of this escalation and American pressure, university students began a new semester with anti-rule protests during which they issued slogans similar to those witnessed in the protests that spread throughout the country and reached their peak in January when they were met with bloody repression.
In response to Trump's threats, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei pointed out during a press conference on Monday, attended by an Agence France-Presse correspondent, that "there is no limited strike. Any aggression will be considered aggression."
He stressed that "any country will respond forcefully to aggression based on its inherent right to legitimate defense, and this is what we will do."
On Tuesday, the two countries concluded a second round of indirect talks, which took place in Switzerland with Omani mediation.
Thursday is scheduled to witness more talks, confirmed by Iran and Oman, but not by the United States.
For its part, the European Union, which was marginalized in the talks with Iran, called for a diplomatic solution.
Diplomatic solution
"We do not need another war in this region. We have many wars," European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Kaya Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
She added, "It is true that Iran is going through its weakest stage ever. We must take advantage of this time to find a diplomatic solution."
Iran insists that talks with the American side be limited to its nuclear program. The West believes that Iran aims through the program to manufacture a nuclear bomb, something Tehran denies.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is leading the negotiations on the Iranian side, while US envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner represent the American side.
Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News that was broadcast over the weekend that Trump wonders why Iran does not “surrender” to the American military buildup.
In response to this, Baghaei said that surrender is not in the Iranian style and that they have not done so throughout history.
France 24/AFP
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