Iran warned the United States that any war the U.S. starts will be ended by Iran, threatening heavy consequences for the West.
This escalation follows recent U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and the seizure of a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. The threats signal a potential collapse of regional stability and a shift toward a prolonged military confrontation in the Gulf.
Iranian officials said the U.S., Israel, and the U.K. will bear full responsibility for attacks within Iran. In a statement issued from Tehran, leadership said they are prepared to wage war on the West for the next two years [1].
"You may start this war, but we will be the ones who end it," Iranian leadership said.
Reports regarding the impact of recent military actions remain contradictory. Some reports indicate U.S. strikes hit Iranian military sites, while Tehran said no damage was caused by U.S. strikes [2].
Diplomatic tensions are peaking as a 14-day halt to the U.S.-Iran war is reportedly in place [3]. This cease-fire is set to end on Wednesday, April 22, 2024 [3]. However, other reports indicate there is no indication of any cease-fire or pause in hostilities [2].
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has been central to the diplomatic messaging across the Gulf region. The Iranian government continues to frame its posture as a deterrent against further U.S. military action in the region.
“"You may start this war, but we will be the ones who end it."”
The disparity in reports regarding both the damage from U.S. strikes and the existence of a cease-fire suggests a high level of information warfare. By claiming a willingness to sustain a conflict for two years, Iran is attempting to signal strategic depth and endurance to deter the U.S. from further infrastructure attacks, while simultaneously using the looming April 22 deadline to pressure international actors toward a diplomatic resolution.
