In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) early Wednesday, Araghchi said Iran would respond to any attack or threat against the country.
“Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the US chose to test our determination,” he said. “Our powerful armed forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered.”
The warning came after reports of explosions in several locations across southern Iran, including Qeshm Island, Sirik, Minab and Jask in Hormozgan province. Iranian media said air defence systems were activated in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Sirik following the attacks.
The US military confirmed that it had launched strikes against Iran. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation was carried out in response to the reported downing of a US Army Apache helicopter in an earlier incident.
Araghchi accused Washington of increasing tensions in the region and warned that foreign military involvement has historically faced strong resistance.
“Leave our region if you want to be safe,” he said, adding that the history of the Persian Gulf shows the consequences faced by outside powers that intervene in the area.
The latest exchange marks a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, raising concerns about the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Neither side has indicated whether further military action is planned, but the situation remains highly volatile.
