Trump Threatens Limited Strikes, Iran Vows Fierce Retaliation

The Iranian government has warned that a United States attack, including a limited strike, would compel the Islamic Republic to respond “fiercely”. The statement came after US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited strikes against Iran.

The United States has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East to pressure Iran into reaching an agreement in nuclear negotiations set to resume on Thursday.

On Monday (23/2), Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that any attack, even a limited one, would “be regarded as an act of aggression. Full stop.”

“And any country would react to an act of aggression as part of its inherent right to self-defence fiercely, so that is what we will do,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei during a briefing in Tehran, as reported by AFP on Monday (23/2/2026).

Previously, Trump said on Friday that he was considering limited strikes should Tehran fail to reach a deal with the United States regarding its nuclear programme.

“I guess I could say I’m considering it,” Trump replied when asked by reporters.

The two countries completed a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland last Tuesday under Omani mediation, against a backdrop of a significant US military build-up in the region.

Further talks, confirmed by Iran and Oman but not by the United States, are scheduled for Thursday.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the negotiations for Iran, whilst the United States is represented by US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.