World

Iran warns of decisive retaliation as Trump threatens fresh strikes

The warning escalates tensions across the Gulf after President Donald Trump renewed threats of strikes on Iranian targets while deepening concerns over global energy supplies

Updated 51 minutes ago · Published on 02 Aug 2026 7:05AM

Iran warns of decisive retaliation as Trump threatens fresh strikes
Iran warns it will respond forcefully to any new military action by the United States or Israel amid mounting security incidents around the Strait of Hormuz - August 2, 2026

IRAN has warned against any further military action by the United States, declaring it would respond decisively to any fresh attacks after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian targets again, fuelling fears of a wider regional conflict and prolonged disruption to global energy markets.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi delivered the warning during separate telephone conversations on Saturday with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

According to Araqchi's Telegram account, he told Munir and Fidan that Tehran would respond decisively to any "aggression" and discussed the consequences of what he described as "destabilizing actions" by the United States, as well as the growing risks to regional security.

In a subsequent call with Prince Faisal, Araqchi warned that any attacks by the United States and Israel, or the participation of regional countries in such operations, would be met with a "proportionate response."

Reuters cited that the warning came hours after Kuwait's military announced it had intercepted and destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran targeting several vital installations.

Meanwhile, Nournews, a media outlet affiliated with Iran's highest security body, warned that any U.S. strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory attacks on oil fields in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as gas facilities in Qatar and Israel.

The outlet declared that "all will be burned to ashes."

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat on Friday, Trump said he still believed U.S. negotiators — including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — could secure a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

However, the U.S. President also expressed growing scepticism over the prospects for negotiations.

"They break their word so often," Trump said, referring to Iran, before adding that he would be "hitting them" if necessary.

The exchange of threats comes as the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel continues to unsettle global energy markets.

Oil prices have remained elevated since U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on February 28. Trump has argued that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons justifies higher fuel prices in the short term, although rising energy costs have increased domestic political pressure on his administration to end the conflict.

Benchmark Brent crude futures climbed 24 per cent during July, with analysts surveyed by Reuters expecting prices to continue rising through the remainder of the year.

The security situation has also disrupted one of the world's most critical energy corridors.

The threat of Iranian attacks has significantly reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil exports, sending fresh shockwaves through international markets.

In Kuwait, authorities said a government facility in the north of the country and civilian property belonging to a company on Bubiyan Island sustained material damage after being struck by falling shrapnel. No casualties were reported.

Further heightening concerns, Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have intensified threats against shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another strategic maritime passage linking the Red Sea to the Suez Canal and a vital export route for Saudi crude oil.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two maritime security incidents off the coast of Oman on Saturday.

In one incident, a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile, causing damage to its engine room. In the second, the master of another tanker reported a large splash and explosion near the vessel, although no damage was sustained. - August 2, 2026

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