Iran Warns of Strong Response as Tensions Rise with US Over Ceasefire Fragility

Tehran, May 2026 : Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Monday issued a strong warning, stating that the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to deliver a “lesson-teaching” response to any act of aggression, amid rising tensions with the United States over stalled diplomatic efforts and an unstable ceasefire.

His remarks, posted on the social media platform X, came shortly after US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s latest response to a US-backed peace proposal, describing the current ceasefire situation as being “on massive life support.”

“Our armed forces are ready to give a lesson-teaching response to any aggression,” Qalibaf said, adding that Iran remains fully prepared for all possible scenarios. “We are ready for all options. They will be surprised,” he warned.

The statement underscores growing friction between Tehran and Washington, following indirect exchanges over a proposed framework aimed at ending prolonged hostilities.

Diplomatic exchanges through intermediaries

According to reports, Iran submitted its formal response to the latest US peace proposal on Sunday through a Pakistani mediator. The proposal is part of ongoing indirect negotiations facilitated by regional intermediaries aimed at de-escalating tensions that have persisted across West Asia.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, addressing a weekly press briefing on Monday, reiterated that Tehran’s position is centered on securing what it calls the “legitimate rights” of its people.

He stated that Iran’s peace proposal includes demands such as ending the conflict in West Asia, halting what Tehran describes as US “maritime piracy” against Iranian vessels, and unfreezing Iranian assets held in foreign banks for years.

Baghaei further emphasized the importance of ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and restoring regional stability, stressing that these are “not excessive demands” but essential conditions for peace.

Nuclear stance remains firm

Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear leadership reinforced its long-standing position on Monday, declaring that nuclear technology and uranium enrichment are non-negotiable aspects of the country’s sovereignty.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was quoted by IRNA as saying that Iran’s nuclear programme remains outside the scope of negotiations with the United States.

“The issue of nuclear technology is not on the agenda of the negotiations, and enrichment is non-negotiable,” Eslami stated firmly.

Background of ongoing conflict

The current tensions follow a 40-day conflict that began with joint US-Israeli military actions against Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28. A ceasefire agreement was reportedly reached between Iran, the United States, and Israel on April 8.

However, the truce has remained fragile, with both sides continuing to exchange warnings and political messaging.

Subsequently, Iranian and US delegations held two rounds of indirect talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, but the discussions failed to produce any concrete agreement.

Since then, multiple proposals have reportedly been exchanged through Pakistani mediation, outlining possible frameworks for ending the conflict, though significant disagreements remain unresolved.

Rising uncertainty ahead

With diplomatic channels still open but progress stalled, recent statements from both sides indicate that the ceasefire remains highly unstable. Analysts suggest that without a breakthrough in negotiations, the region risks renewed escalation amid deepening mistrust between Tehran and Washington.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)