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Raisi: Iran Won't Start a War but Will Respond to Bullies

This handout picture taken and released by the Iranian Presidency shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meeting with Pakistan's new ambassador in Tehran on January 27, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
This handout picture taken and released by the Iranian Presidency shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meeting with Pakistan's new ambassador in Tehran on January 27, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
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Raisi: Iran Won't Start a War but Will Respond to Bullies

This handout picture taken and released by the Iranian Presidency shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meeting with Pakistan's new ambassador in Tehran on January 27, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)
This handout picture taken and released by the Iranian Presidency shows Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meeting with Pakistan's new ambassador in Tehran on January 27, 2024. (Photo by Iranian Presidency / AFP)

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said on Friday that his country would not start a war but that it would "respond strongly" to anyone who tried to bully it.
Raisi's comments came after days of speculation about how Washington might retaliate after three US soldiers were killed last Saturday in a strike on their base in Jordan by an Iranian-backed group.
CBS News, citing US officials, reported on Thursday that the United States had approved plans for multi-day strikes in Iraq and Syria against multiple targets, including Iranian personnel and facilities in those countries.
"We will not start any war, but if anyone wants to bully us they will receive a strong response," Raisi said in a televised speech.
"Before, when they (the Americans) wanted to talk to us, they said the military option is on the table. Now they say they have no intention of a conflict with Iran," Raisi said.
"The Islamic Republic's military power in the region is not and never has been a threat to any country. Rather, it ensures security that the countries of the region can rely on and trust," Raisi added.
The United States has assessed that the drone that killed three of its soldiers and also wounded more than 40 other people, was made by Iran, four US officials have told Reuters.
Sources said Iran's Revolutionary Guards were pulling senior officers out of Syria.

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World

US, Israel Differ Over Timing of Strike on Iran

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN
Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN
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US, Israel Differ Over Timing of Strike on Iran

Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN
Iranians drive past an anti-US billboard in Vanak Square in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026- EPA/ABEDIN

A group of senior US military officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, is pushing to resume the war against Iran, while advisers to US President Donald Trump favor continuing to "strangle Iran" through economic sanctions.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Wednesday that he opposed launching a preemptive strike on Tehran ahead of the Israeli elections, but insisted that he would "bring Iran down" within the next two years.

The US-Israeli differences over the timing of renewed military action coincided with reports that Iran had adopted "new tactics" to target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A container ship was also reported to have caught fire and sunk after striking a mine.

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohibbi said Iran had acquired far more advanced weapons following the 40-day war.

On the ground, three people were injured when an unidentified drone struck a fishing boat off Sirik in Hormozgan province, southern Iran.

World

US Considers Hitting Iran with 'Mother of All Bombs'

An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)
An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)
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US Considers Hitting Iran with 'Mother of All Bombs'

An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)
An undated handout photo of the “Mother of All Bombs” at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, US (Reuters)

The United States is considering using its biggest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if President Donald Trump should decide to renew combat in the war that has hit a deadlock, CNN reported Thursday.

The military is planning for the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb -- better known by its nickname, the "Mother Of All Bombs" -- to target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, according to the news outlet, which quoted officials familiar with the matter.

Trump is trying to boost his low approval ratings ahead of November's midterm elections, with polls showing the unpopular war in Iran and fuel and other price rises it has caused are hurting his Republican Party.

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which erupted with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, have been at an impasse since the summer.

But officials have raised doubts over the efficacy of the bomb if it were deployed, particularly its ability to destroy suspected underground nuclear sites in Iran.

"The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else," a source familiar with the plans told CNN.

"It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead."

The United States and Israel have said the war was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons -- a goal Tehran has long denied pursuing.

There are also concerns over the possibility of civilian casualties from such a huge weapon, according to AFP.

Washington has in recent weeks dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure.

In 2017, the US military in Afghanistan dropped the "MOAB" to target ISIS group hideouts in a complex of tunnels and bunkers, killing more than 90 militants.

World

Pezeshkian: Iran is Facing its Most Intense Blockade since 1979

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
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Pezeshkian: Iran is Facing its Most Intense Blockade since 1979

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that the country was facing its most intense blockade since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, accusing the United States of seeking to provoke public protests.

Iran and the United States have been at war since February 28, when US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Over the 48 years since the Revolution, we have never faced such intense blockade, war and difficulties as we are facing now," Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast by state television.

He accused Washington of seeking to make life difficult for Iranians in order to fuel public anger and trigger unrest.

Pezeshkian said the US was focusing its efforts on making "the people become upset and face difficulties, and then for social protests to emerge so that they can achieve their sinister objectives".

The US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran's closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, diverting or stopping vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports.

Iran has repeatedly accused the US and Israel of fomenting unrest inside the country, and in recent months has executed several Iranians accused of collaborating with its foes.

In late December last year, protests over the cost of living erupted in Iran, spreading nationwide and evolving into a wider anti-government movement.

Iran's rulers blamed the US and Israel for the unrest.