TEHRAN, Iran: The Iran-US response could become faster and more forceful after the latest American attacks, Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Sunday.
Ghalibaf said in a state-media speech that Tehran no longer considered itself bound to proportionate retaliation. He warned that future attacks on Iranian interests and security would draw a stronger response.
His warning followed Saturday’s exchange around the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command said Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships before American forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers.
CENTCOM said attacks permanently disabled the M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1. It said forces destroyed the empty M/T Kylo, also known as Noxen, in the Gulf of Oman after ordering its crew to leave.
CENTCOM said the earlier missile attacks injured no American personnel. Iranian authorities also said Sunday that their forces attacked a US naval surface drone attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz.
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CENTCOM had not confirmed that Iranian claim. Ghalibaf also urged officials to improve management of imports as Iran faces pressure on energy supplies and trade.
Revolutionary Guard spokesman Hossein Mohebi said Tehran was also seeking to impose economic costs on Washington.
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military command separately warned that further US attacks could trigger broader action against American warships.
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CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said Washington would impose additional economic costs if Iran again targeted US vessels.
