Iranian Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf said Iran will not accept U.S. threats and is prepared to respond to them.
This escalation comes at a volatile moment for diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington. The rhetoric suggests a significant rift between the Iranian legislative branch and the diplomatic efforts intended to prevent a full-scale military conflict.
Qalibaf issued the warning on June 14, 2026 [1]. He said that the nation is ready to act if the U.S. continues to issue threats against Iranian interests. The statement was made in Tehran and reported by international media [1].
"We do not accept American threats, Iran is ready to respond," Qalibaf said [1].
Supporting this stance, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry also addressed the possibility of military escalation. The spokesperson said Iran will defend its sovereignty against any ground attack by the United States [1]. These warnings specifically target potential U.S. ground offensives, a move that would represent a major escalation in regional tensions.
However, these threats contrast with other reports regarding the two nations. On June 15, 2026 [2], reports indicated that the U.S. and Iran signed a preliminary deal aimed at de-escalation. This agreement suggests a move toward cooperation and a reduction of hostilities, which contradicts the aggressive posture taken by Qalibaf and the Foreign Ministry.
The discrepancy between the preliminary deal and the public warnings from Tehran highlights the internal complexities of the Iranian government. While some elements seek a diplomatic path to avoid war, others continue to signal a readiness for military confrontation to deter U.S. intervention.
“"We do not accept American threats, Iran is ready to respond,"”
The contradiction between the June 15 de-escalation deal and the June 14 threats indicates a fractured or strategic approach within the Iranian leadership. By maintaining a hardline military stance while simultaneously engaging in preliminary agreements, Tehran may be attempting to secure diplomatic concessions through a policy of deterrence.
