Iran denies preparing attacks, warns of strong retaliation, blames US for unrest

Iran denies reports of Khamenei retreating underground amid US tension

Iran has strongly denied recent US claims that it is preparing attacks on American facilities, accusing Washington of trying to escalate tensions across West Asia, state broadcaster Press TV reported.

The remarks came from Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Saturday, following a Persian-language post by the US State Department on X, which said it had received reports suggesting Iran was exploring options to strike American bases.

“These statements and claims are in line with the United States' ongoing policy of fuelling tensions in the region,” Baghaei said, according to Press TV.

He added that the Iranian Armed Forces remain focused on strengthening the country’s military and defensive capabilities to protect its sovereignty. Baghaei also warned that Iran would respond “firmly and decisively” to any act of aggression.

In its post, the US State Department reiterated that “all options remain on the table” and warned that any attack on US assets would be met with “very, very strong force.”

Press TV also highlighted the backdrop of widespread unrest in Iran, which began late last month over economic concerns. The protests, the broadcaster reported, later turned violent, with acts of vandalism and disorder allegedly encouraged by public statements from US and Israeli figures. According to Press TV, foreign-backed mercenaries took advantage of the unrest, attacking cities and resulting in casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as damage to public property.

The US president has, according to Press TV, repeatedly threatened military action against Iran.

On Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei singled out  US President Donald Trump as the main culprit behind the killings and destruction during the riots. He claimed that some of those involved in the unrest were “identified, trained and largely recruited by American and Israeli agencies.”