Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson says at a news conference any new attack will be met with an equal or stronger response

EASTORA REPORT | Iran will not leave any new attack unanswered and would respond with at least equal force, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tuesday, rejecting reports that Tehran could be asked to absorb a U.S. strike without retaliating.

Speaking at his weekly news conference in Tehran, Baghaei said the era of “hit-and-run” attacks was over. “We have shown in practice over these two years that we leave absolutely no strike unanswered,” he said. “If our response is not stronger, they will certainly receive a response of the same magnitude.”

His remarks came in response to reports that Washington had conveyed a message concerning a possible strike on Iran and expected Tehran not to retaliate. Baghaei dismissed that account as implausible.

On Iran’s relations with Russia and China, Baghaei said Tehran was under no illusion that either country acted without regard to its own interests. He said Iran had nevertheless defined areas of mutual interest with both and intended to continue developing those relationships.

Baghaei also opposed possible further military involvement by Egypt or other Islamic countries in the Yemen conflict, saying it would complicate the situation rather than improve regional security. He said Tehran favored resolving the conflict through dialogue and a previously agreed roadmap.

Asked separately about whether China and Russia were benefiting from the wider confrontation, Baghaei cited a saying that rivals should not be interrupted while making mistakes, while acknowledging that all states pursue their own interests.