ALBAWABA - Iranian officials have warned to escalate any conflict with the United States if attacked, which suggests that Tehran is reconsidering the Islamic Republic's ideology of limiting its response to contain confrontations with Washington as it did before, according to the Financial Times.
Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi revealed that Iran's strategy "was based on preventing escalation," but "the behavior of the U.S. has forced us to change our approach."
Mousavi added, "If they make a mistake this time, we will inflict heavy losses on them. Our armed forces are determined to stand against this bullying force until the end."
The Financial Times' report quoted a source in Tehran as saying that Iran is not seeking war and hopes that the upcoming talks between the two sides in Geneva will pave the way for a new nuclear agreement that prevents an American attack, but it will "fight rather than surrender" to U.S. President Donald Trump.
A poster displaying the portraits of Iranian military generals and nuclear scientists, killed in Israel's attack early on June 13, hangs on a bridge in Tehran on June 14, 2025. Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP
Although the source indicated that Tehran might not escalate if the strike was "very limited," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, "There is no such thing as a limited attack."
Talks have resumed between Washington and Tehran in Geneva on Thursday, with the aim of reaching an agreement and avoiding any escalation.
It is worth noting that security sources in Israel revealed that 12 American F-22 fighter jets arrived in Tel Aviv to join the large U.S. Air Force strike aircraft fleet in the region.
