Iran on Monday issued a direct warning to President Trump in the wake of the US attack on its nuclear sites and expressed that Tehran now sees a greater number of "legitimate targets" for retaliation. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari put it like so, per Reuters:
- "Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it."
Despite firing missiles at Israel, Iran has so far avoided striking US targets or disrupting oil shipments through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, though USA Today says Iran and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will "almost certainly" hit back against the US. The paper sees the range of options as broad, writing, "If history is any guide, that response could happen at any time—and anywhere, and in any form." But it also flags this more specific take from Brett McGurk, the Biden administration coordinator for the Middle East: "Missiles, militias, and acts of hostage-taking—that's their go-to" range of options.
The New York Times looks at whether it is possible for Iran to show "resistance but also restraint"—in essence, proving it can and will stand up to Trump but in a way that doesn't trigger a serious escalation. The paper writes, "What will be crucial is whether Iran's retaliation is prolonged. If it does enough to convince the Iranian people that it has not capitulated, Ayatollah Khamenei may then decide to enter talks with the United States about a settlement of the war." (This content was created with the help of AI. Read our AI policy.)
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