‘Operation Epic Mistake’: Iran signals escalation, says ‘have many surprises in store’ for US

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi -- File Photo

Iran has issued a fresh warning to the United States as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claiming that Tehran is prepared to respond to any attempt to target its oil and nuclear infrastructure.

In a post on X, Araghchi termed US strikes on the country as "epic mistake" and said Iran is ready for further escalation and hinted that the country could retaliate if its strategic facilities are attacked.

“9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock. Iran is fully prepared. And we, too, have many surprises in store,” Araghchi wrote on X.

9 days into Operation Epic Mistake, oil prices have doubled while all commodities are skyrocketing. We know the U.S. is plotting against our oil and nuclear sites in hopes of containing huge inflationary shock. Iran is fully prepared.

And we, too, have many surprises in store. pic.twitter.com/UNQu0fVZE2 — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 9, 2026

Araghachi’s remarks come as global oil prices have surged sharply since the conflict intensified. The war, which has now entered its second week, has disrupted energy markets and triggered fears about the safety of oil infrastructure and shipping routes in the region.

Brent oil prices surged past $100 per barrel on March 9 touching $120 per bbl earlier in the day before settling to $102 per bbl.

Earlier in the day, Iran fired missiles at Israel and Gulf nations after the Islamic republic named Mojtaba Khamenei its new leader to succeed his late father despite threats by the United States and Israel to target him next.

Nine days after US-Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and plunged the Middle East into war, Iranian clerics picked the country's third supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israel launched a new wave of strikes, this time targeting infrastructure in central Iran, as the expanding war sent stocks plunging and crude prices surging 30 percent on supply disruption fears.

Saudi Arabia intercepted drones headed for an eastern oil field, while the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported missile attacks and Bahrain said sirens were activated.

Khamenei's appointment was announced on Iranian state television, with the presenter solemnly reading a statement from the 88-member Assembly of Experts next to a picture of the new 56-year-old leader.

The war came weeks after Iranian security forces crushed nationwide protests against the government, killing thousands. The younger Khamenei is considered a fellow hardliner who will pursue his father's rejection of dissent.

US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed the Mojtaba Khamenei as a "lightweight", and insisted again Sunday that he should have a say in appointing a new leader.

"If he doesn't get approval from us he's not going to last long," he told ABC News before the announcement was made.

Israel's defence minister has warned last week that the new supreme leader would become "a target", while the military vowed to go after any successor.