'Won't Stay Idle': Iran Warns Of 'Proportionate' Response If Trump Follows Through On His Threats

Last Updated:April 08, 2026, 00:44 IST

Iran says Trump’s threats that a "whole civilisation will die” constitute incitement to war crimes and "potentially genocide."

Iran’s envoy to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, stressed on Tuesday that Tehran will not “stay idle" and warned of an “immediate and proportionate" response if US President Donald Trump follows through on his latest threats to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure.

Iravani said Trump’s threats on Tuesday that a “whole civilisation will die" if Iran does not make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “constitute incitement to war crimes and potentially genocide."

“Iran will not stand idle in the face of such egregious war crimes. It will exercise, without hesitation, its inherent right of self-defence and will take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures," he said during a Security Council session on the Strait of Hormuz, while urging the international community to call out Trump’s rhetoric.

Meanwhile, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation is a “sign of ignorance" that won’t help potential dialogue.

“Maintaining the peace and security of the people is the government’s top priority, and threats will not disturb public calm. The door to dialogue opens with respect; the narrow path of threats, pettiness, and humiliation is not a way in," he said.

Trump’s Remarks Spark Alarm

Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his threats to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran’s leadership fails to make a deal, saying, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will."

His remarks sparked widespread alarm, particularly from Democrats, who called him an “unhinged lunatic" and called for the US Congress to be brought back into session. Several Democrats have urged Republicans to help in the legislative process to impeach Trump.

Trump’s choice of words also inflamed fears that the US was considering a nuclear attack on Iran, although the White House has publicly denied this. Iran has threatened to plunge Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, into darkness if Trump followed through on his threats.

Meanwhile, the US also attacked targets on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. Iran responded by declaring it would no longer hold back from hitting its Gulf neighbours’ infrastructure, and carried out fresh strikes on a ship in the Gulf and a huge Saudi petrochemical complex.

News world 'Won't Stay Idle': Iran Warns Of 'Proportionate' Response If Trump Follows Through On His Threats

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