Iran says it will ‘respond like never before’ after Trump’s ‘time is running out’ warning

Iran warned it would respond to any US attack “like never before” after President Donald Trump said time was running out for Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear programme and avoid possible American military action.

“Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests — BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!” Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a post on X, sharing a screenshot of Trump’s warning.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran’s forces were ready to respond decisively to any US military action, while leaving the door open to a possible new agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

"Our brave Armed Forces are prepared -- with their fingers on the trigger -- to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression against our beloved land, air, and sea," Araghchi wrote in a post on X.

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties,” Trump wrote.

“Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!”

He also warned Tehran against further confrontation, referencing earlier US strikes.

“The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again,” Trump said.

Last June, the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran, sharply escalating regional tensions.

“They are threatened by their inability to address the fact that their economy is in collapse,” Rubio said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz went further, suggesting the Iranian leadership may not survive much longer.

“A regime that can only hold onto power through sheer violence and terror against its own population: its days are numbered,” Merz said, predicting it could be only “a matter of weeks” before the government falls.

“Conducting diplomacy through military threat cannot be effective or useful,” Araghchi said, adding that Tehran had not sought negotiations and had no recent contact with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Habibollah Sayyari also warned Washington against any “miscalculation,” saying the US would also “suffer damage” in the event of conflict.

Qatar said it supports “all efforts aimed at reducing escalation and achieving peaceful solutions,” while Egypt stressed the need to “work towards de-escalation.” Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned against renewed conflict, saying:

“It’s wrong to attack Iran. It’s wrong to start the war again.”

HRANA said more than 42,000 people have been arrested and warned that security forces are now searching hospitals for wounded protesters, highlighting what it called “new dimensions of the continued security crackdown.”

Iran has also carried out executions linked to the unrest, including a man convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad, according to the judiciary.