Iran Warns of Firm Response Amid US-Iran Tensions Over Nuclear Site Access

Majid Ibn al-Raza, Iran's acting defense minister, spoke by phone on Tuesday with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, emphasizing Iran's distrust of its adversaries and warning that Tehran's "finger is on the trigger." He stated that any breach of the ceasefire terms would prompt an immediate and appropriate response. Ibn al-Raza accused the opposing side of violating commitments multiple times during the brief ceasefire period and cited decades of US interventions and broken promises as the root of the deep-seated mistrust between the two countries.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz for global trade, he warned against allowing the region to become exploited by non-regional powers. He argued that the presence of foreign forces only exacerbates insecurity and misunderstandings in the area.

Meanwhile, US and Iranian delegations arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to attempt to advance the implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, following renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the day as a significant step in direct talks, but Tehran denied any formal meeting had been scheduled, underscoring the ongoing discrepancies between the two sides' narratives.

Iranian President Masoud Pezhkian called for a unified front domestically, affirming that the agreement with the US was fully coordinated with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He acknowledged internal factions attempting to undermine the Iranian negotiation team but stressed Iran's commitment to fulfilling its obligations as long as the US does the same. In a post on X, Pezhkian framed Iran's policy as based on rationality and respect for human dignity, while vowing to defend the country resolutely if necessary. He also declared Iran's determination to pursue accountability for crimes committed by the US and Israel, stating that Tehran will not deviate from this course.