Tehran: Iran and the United States exchanged threats on Wednesday amid escalating military tensions, with Tehran accusing Washington of launching an attack on a wedding party in Iran, which they have labeled as a "war crime."
According to France24.com, President Donald Trump announced that US forces had carried out a "very heavy attack" on Iranian targets overnight and warned that they are "prepared to do another one any time we want." In response, Iran's security chief cautioned that the United States would face a "new strategy" in their ongoing conflict, which began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei indicated on X that Iran's comprehensive new approach would impact the battlefield, diplomatic efforts, and the economic blockade, potentially destabilizing US foundations. Further escalating tensions, Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait," though he later clarified that the comment was not serious.
The recent conflict intensified when Iran targeted US bases in several Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, following extensive US bombardments across Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent reported that a US strike on a wedding in southern Iran resulted in four deaths, including a child, and over 50 injuries.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, condemned the attack on the wedding ceremony as part of America's "desperate struggle" to hide its failures. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman Tim Hawkins asserted that the US military does not target civilians, contrasting their actions with those of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, criticized the US, likening its actions to those of "Satan." The new wave of hostilities began with US strikes on Iranian targets, followed by Iranian attacks on US troops and oil tankers, which resulted in the deaths of two Filipino sailors.
Amid the escalating conflict, citizens like Hossein Moazami expressed distress and urged a return to negotiations, emphasizing the suffering of the Iranian people. A video shared by an Iranian government account depicted the aftermath of the wedding strike, showing significant damage and chaos.
The conflict, which commenced with US-Israeli attacks that killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saw a brief ceasefire before resuming with attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Israel's defense minister declared that Israel is prepared to respond forcefully if Iran attempts to strike during the Jewish high holiday season.