Iran promises to respond to new wave of US strikes despite Trump’s threats - aljazeera.com

**Iran Vows Retaliation After U.S. Strikes, Escalation Concerns Grow**

*Tehran* – In the wake of a fresh wave of American airstrikes targeting Iranian facilities in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s foreign ministry announced on state television that a “regretful response” has already been set in motion. The strikes, which U.S. Central Command said were carried out in retaliation for a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Hormuz Strait, marked the most direct military engagement between the two nations since the 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. President Donald Trump warned that the United States would launch “the biggest attack” the region had ever seen if Tehran continued its hostile actions, a statement that has raised alarm among regional analysts (NDTV).

The latest U.S. offensive coincided with reports from Iranian media that a wedding ceremony in the Sirik district of Hormozgan province was struck, killing four civilians and wounding dozens more. The Guardian noted that Iranian officials framed the incident as part of a broader “regretful response” to what they described as American aggression, insisting the retaliation would be proportionate yet decisive. Meanwhile, the American side emphasized that the strikes were limited to military targets linked to the attacks on vessels transiting the strategic waterway, a claim echoed by AP News, which highlighted that the U.S. aimed to restore freedom of navigation in the region.

Diplomatic channels remain strained as both governments trade threats of further escalation. Tehran has called on its allies to condemn the U.S. actions, while Washington maintains that its operations were defensive and necessary to protect international commerce. Observers caution that any miscalculation could spiral into a broader conflict, underscoring the fragile security environment of the Middle East. CNBC reported that the U.S. continues to monitor the situation closely, with additional contingencies prepared should Iranian retaliation intensify.