Iran threatens military response if US 'siege' intensifies

Iran issued a warning on Tuesday, stating it would respond militarily if U.S. pressure escalates, while simultaneously indicating a willingness to return to a ceasefire agreement. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated, "If the U.S. siege is intensified, we will definitely respond militarily." President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan, affirmed Iran's readiness to immediately resume the June ceasefire arrangement if the U.S. reciprocates. The June memorandum included an immediate ceasefire and a 60-day negotiation period, with Iran agreeing to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. agreeing to end its naval blockade and lift sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the earlier truce was "unstable and all too fragile." Iran is also collaborating with Oman on a framework for managing Strait of Hormuz shipping.