TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran will deliver an "appropriate" response to any military action against it, a senior Iranian diplomat warned here on Wednesday, amid heightened tensions with the United States.
At a meeting with foreign media representatives, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran is determined to create deterrence against U.S. military buildup and threats in West Asia.
"If they take a limited military action, Iran will give an appropriate response, not a proportionate one, to dissuade them from repeating their attacks," he said.
Gharibabadi warned that any new military action would not be easy for the United States and Israel, noting they are aware of potential losses. He stressed that U.S. military pressure will not force Iran to acquiesce, likening such a scenario to "Iran's surrender."
Regarding possible negotiations, Gharibabadi said Iran does not consider regional states hostile.
He clarified that if attacked from a location within a regional country, Iran would target that specific point, not the entire nation, citing Iran's strike on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar after the United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year as an example.
Gharibabadi confirmed that communication channels with the United States exist indirectly, but denied any ongoing talks.
Iran is prepared for both diplomacy and conflict, but prioritizes readiness for defense, he said, adding that Iran's "main priority is to be '200 percent' ready to defend itself."
He noted that Iran's missiles cannot reach the United States or Europe, but noted U.S. military bases are located around Iran. "It is the United States that has always been a threat to Iran," he said.
Gharibabadi's remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a "massive armada," headed by the Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln and larger than that sent to Venezuela, is heading to Iran, and warned Iran that "time is running out" to make a deal with the United States. Iran has warned of a "comprehensive and regret-inducing" response to any aggression. ■
