Iran has warned that it will strike back against American interests in the Middle East if provoked—while still seeking a diplomatic solution to ease tensions.
According to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday, February 22nd his country would respond to any U.S. attack, and that further talks could take place in Geneva next week.
In recent weeks, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers and several warships to the region, while also increasing pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. Araghchi emphasised that Iran is a sovereign nation and decides independently on its own uranium enrichment program.
Iranian university students held both pro- and anti-government demonstrations again on Sunday—as they have done several times in recent weeks—at universities in the capital, commemorating those who died in previous protests. Some participants condemned the late Shah of Iran, overthrown in 1979, and called for the death of his exiled successor. Others waved flags of the monarchy.
Several countries, including Australia, Poland, and Sweden have already called on their citizens to leave Iran, warning that the situation could escalate rapidly.
