Iran Responds to Trump's Threat: 'Our Armed Forces Are Ready'
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a strong warning to the United States during a parliamentary session on Sunday: "Our armed forces are ready to respond." The statement followed remarks by US President Donald Trump in a press conference - without providing evidence or a timeline - accusing Iran of supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon and threatening to "hit Iran very hard again."
"Don't they think if their threats have an effect, they would not be in such a desperate situation today? We do not take American threats into account," said Ghalibaf. His speech was met with applause from parliament members, reflecting a firm stance against external pressure.
Recurring Tensions, Not a New Crisis
Trump's threat is not the beginning of tensions, but the latest episode in the hostile relationship since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The relationship deteriorated significantly after the US withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and reimposed broad economic sanctions. In response, Iran increased uranium enrichment beyond JCPOA limits and expanded its missile program.
Incidents such as the killing of General Qasem Soleimani by US forces in Baghdad in January 2020 deepened Tehran's belief that Washington is willing to use military force unilaterally. However, there is no evidence that Trump's recent threats are supported by actual military preparations - it remains at the rhetorical level.
Real Power, Real Pressure
Iran has a large military with decades of combat experience, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is active in regional operations and has a network of allies such as Hezbollah and several armed groups in Iraq and Yemen. Its missile program - particularly multi-stage ballistic missiles - is a key component of Tehran's deterrence strategy.
However, military strength does not mask structural weaknesses. Iran's economy is crippled by US sanctions: annual inflation exceeds 40%, the official unemployment rate is nearly 10% (and much higher among youth), and the rial has lost more than 90% of its value since 2018. Ghalibaf himself acknowledged these challenges in his speech, but emphasized resilience through the experience of the Iran-Iraq War (1980โ1988): "We have faced tougher tests, and we will continue to endure."
On the US side, Trump's tough rhetoric comes in the context of domestic politics - the 2024 presidential election is underway - and is not accompanied by new announcements about troop deployments, additional sanctions, or changes in security doctrine. Analysts view the threat as an effort to strengthen bargaining position, not a step toward open conflict.
Oil Disruption, Regional Risks
Immediate tensions are affecting global energy markets. Brent oil prices rose more than $3 per barrel in one day, reaching $85.40 per barrel on Monday, driven by concerns over supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz - a route for about 20% of global oil supplies. Iran has previously threatened to close the strait in a conflict, although its implementation is technically and diplomatically complex.
Major oil importers such as China, Japan, and South Korea - which depend on Middle Eastern oil - are increasing risk monitoring. China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil under US sanctions, has maintained trade through alternative payment mechanisms and ships with unclear identities.
In the region itself, the tension between Tehran and Washington deepens instability in Lebanon. Hezbollah, which has received military support and training from the IRGC since the 1980s, remains both a stabilizing and destabilizing factor - especially in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. However, there are no signs of increased cross-border attacks or direct escalation between Iran and Israel so far.
Diplomacy Still Has Space
Although the rhetoric is heating up, diplomatic channels are not completely closed. Iran is still participating in indirect negotiations with the US in Oman and Qatar on nuclear and prisoner issues. Trump himself, in subsequent statements, did not rule out dialogue - but did not mention conditions or schedules.
For Tehran, easing sanctions remains the top priority. For Washington, pressure on Iran's nuclear program and regional activities remains a core objective. Both sides are now in a phase of testing patience: Iran is testing how far the US is willing to bear the economic and geopolitical costs of continued sanctions; the US is testing whether Iran is ready to negotiate without military preconditions.
Without real progress in negotiations, tensions will remain high - enough to disrupt markets and strengthen proxy allies, but not enough to trigger a full-scale conflict.