By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Iran has warned that any renewed war with the United States could last longer than the previous conflict, following fresh threats by US President Donald Trump to launch more strikes against the country.
Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia issued the warning on Sunday, saying Washington would not determine the timing or conditions for ending another conflict.
His comments followed Trump’s statement that the United States still had one or two targets to strike in Iran, including a suspected underground nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain.
Trump also threatened further action at a campaign rally in Iowa, saying he might have to give Tehran “the hammer” at an unspecified time.
US, Israel weigh further military action
The threats come amid diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, while armed groups aligned with Tehran joined the fighting in Lebanon and Yemen.
According to Axios, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran during a telephone conversation on Saturday.
Netanyahu reportedly favoured immediate strikes after Tuesday’s US midterm elections, while Trump preferred allowing negotiations to continue.
Iranian officials have continued to warn against further attacks.
Revolutionary Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said any conflict with the United States would have no geographical limitations.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained open to diplomacy but was also prepared to defend itself.
Iran says US seeks to revive negotiations
Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, disclosed that he had received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance seeking to revive negotiations.
Rezaei said Washington had shown a positive change in tone, but Tehran had yet to respond.
Iran has maintained that negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depend on meeting its demands.
These include lifting sanctions, unfreezing its overseas assets and ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has expressed hope for a diplomatic breakthrough while preparing for a possible escalation.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said the region had no interest in another round of fighting but remained prepared for the worst.
