Iran says every threat will strengthen its military

TEHRAN: Iran’s acting Defence Minister, Seyed Majid Ibn al-Reza, has declared that Tehran will continue strengthening its military capabilities by treating every threat from its adversaries as genuine, even as the United States signals a renewed diplomatic effort.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had postponed a planned military strike against Iran in favour of restarting negotiations aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement posted on social media platform X on Monday, Ibn al-Reza said Iran viewed recent statements from its enemies as part of a broader campaign of psychological and cognitive warfare. However, he stressed that Tehran would not dismiss any warning, regardless of its nature.

“We consider every threat to be real and deserving of a serious response,” the acting defence minister said, adding that Iran’s strategy was to transform every external challenge into an opportunity to reinforce its military preparedness and national defence.

He said the Iranian armed forces would neither be caught off guard nor remain passive in the face of rising regional tensions. Instead, every warning or hostile statement would serve as a catalyst for expanding the country’s defensive capabilities and maintaining operational readiness.

The comments underscore Iran’s continued emphasis on deterrence at a time when uncertainty surrounds the future of US-Iran relations and broader security dynamics across the Gulf.

Earlier, President Trump announced that the United States had suspended plans for military action against Iran after requests from Tehran and several Middle Eastern countries to give diplomacy another chance.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed the US military had been fully prepared for an operation of unprecedented scale, describing it as one of the largest potential military actions since the Second World War.

According to Trump, the proposed negotiations focus on two key objectives: ensuring the immediate and uninterrupted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for global shipping and addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Any disruption in the waterway has the potential to affect international energy markets and regional stability.

While Washington has presented the renewed talks as an opportunity to prevent further escalation, Iranian officials continue to insist that the country will not relax its military vigilance during the diplomatic process.

The latest exchange of statements reflects the delicate balance between diplomacy and deterrence, with both sides signalling a willingness to negotiate while simultaneously emphasizing military preparedness amid persistent regional tensions.