Iran is threatening to strike countries that assist the United States in its military operations, with the country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei specifically calling out Bulgaria’s role.
Iran has the right to strike any location used to launch attacks against it, Baghaei declared on Monday (24/8), warning countries not to offer their territory or facilities to the United States. Baghaei was particularly explicit, stating that “the stationing of American refueling aircraft in Bulgaria was a mistake from the very beginning, and is considered complicity in the war against Iran.”
Baghaei added: “There is no reason for countries to worry about the Islamic Republic, unless they have made their territory and infrastructure available to the US.” In this context, he warned that the Islamic Republic reserves the right to target the origin of any attacks launched against it and will show no leniency toward “attacking parties.”
“Under international law, targeting the point of origin and source of any act of aggression is Iran’s legitimate right, and there will be no leniency when it comes to defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he stated.
He also said: “No official in the Islamic Republic is willing to surrender to the excessive demands of its enemies.”
Iran denies the Strait of Hormuz is open — “We’ve long been chess players; in recent years, we’ve become poker players too”
Baghaei also dismissed reports that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and that millions of barrels of oil were passing through it daily, calling such claims “a media war and propaganda.”
The Iranian official announced that Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi, would visit Tehran on Tuesday.
During his visit, Al-Busaidi will hold talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral and regional issues.
“The trip aims to strengthen Tehran-Muscat cooperation and continue political consultations as two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, with the goal of promoting regional peace and security.”
“We have long been chess players. In recent years, we have also become poker players, and for some time now we have been playing a combination of both,” Baghaei remarked wryly.
He further noted that a scheduled visit by Pakistan’s army chief to Iran would focus on bilateral relations between Tehran and Islamabad. “At this stage, bilateral relations between the two countries are going through one of their best phases,” he told reporters.
The US threatens Iran with an “economic D-Day”
Iran’s threats — signaling Tehran’s intention to bring the Middle East crisis to Europe’s doorstep — came just hours before the United States announced sweeping new sanctions against Tehran.
It is worth noting that both Donald Trump and Scott Bessent have threatened to unleash an “economic D-Day” against Iran, with the Treasury Secretary offering a preview of what to expect.
“We are now entering the final phase. At dawn, an economic ‘D-Day’ begins — the largest economic offensive ever launched against an adversary,” he wrote in an op-ed in the Financial Times, one day before a scheduled press conference at which he planned to announce the measures targeting Tehran.
“The world must understand that our goal is to cut every economic lifeline sustaining the tyrannical regime, until Tehran is left completely isolated,” he stated.
