Tehran: Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf urged the US on Sunday to be ‘cautious’ in its rhetoric following threats by US President Donald Trump, stating that Iran’s armed forces are ‘ready to respond’ to American threats.

According to Anadolu Agency, Qalibaf, in a post on the US social media platform X, questioned the effectiveness of US pressure on Tehran. He remarked, “Do they not ask themselves that if their threats had any effect, they would not have reached this state of despair today? We do not rely on American threats.” He further advised US officials to exercise caution in their statements, warning that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond differently if needed.

Qalibaf’s comments came after President Trump urged Iran to halt its proxies in Lebanon or face severe repercussions. Trump emphasized on his Truth Social platform that if Iran does not comply, the US would strike “very hard again,” referencing past actions. He also warned of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz and imposing tolls if Iran does not comply with US demands.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump addressed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s insistence on enriching uranium, warning him to reconsider his stance or face further actions from the US. The ongoing tensions were discussed in the first round of four-party talks involving Iran and the US, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, which concluded in Switzerland, as reported by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.