Iran’s chief negotiator warns retaliation will be ‘faster, heavier and more painful’ after U.S. hits tankers in response to attack attempt on warships
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said the era of “proportionate responses” is over.
- Why it matters
- Iran signals it is moving beyond measured tit-for-tat responses, suggesting future retaliation to U.S. actions may be larger in scope or speed than previous rounds.
- Most affected
- Military personnel and commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf region — Face increased risk from unannounced Iranian retaliation of unpredictable scale.
- Likely next
- Whether Iran carries out the stated retaliation and the form it takes—whether a direct military action, attack on commercial vessels, or other means.