'War with America is not over, we will give them a befitting reply', declares Iranian army; President also warns

New Delhi: Tensions between Iran and the United States show no signs of easing. The Iranian Army Chief has stated that the war is not over yet. The Iranian Army Chief stated that while the enemy (the United States) may have been defeated militarily, it has now imposed sanctions and is exerting economic pressure. He stated that the Iranian military is on full alert and that if the enemy makes another mistake, they will respond strongly to any threat. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi met separately with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who was visiting Tehran. Both expressed their commitment to protecting Iran's national interests and security.

According to a statement released on the website of the Iranian President's office, Pezeshkian criticized the United States during his meeting with Mirzoyan on Monday. He said, "There is no point in negotiating with an enemy that resorts to assassination, sanctions, pressure, threats, and breaks its promises every day." Pezeshkian added, "So far, the US has attacked us three times after talks. This clearly shows that they do not want talks, but rather their goal is to overthrow the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Iranian President targets America

According to the news agency Xinhua, Pezeshkian said that Washington has no answer for the February 28 killing of 168 innocent children at a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab. He said, "None of their actions or attitudes against Iran are in accordance with international law." According to a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Araghchi said that Iran will firmly defend its national interests and security. However, Iran has never hesitated to resort to diplomacy to prevent tensions from escalating.

Araghchi said that the serious consequences of US and Israeli military action against Iran are the main reason for the insecurity created for the movement of commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Mirzoyan described the relations between Armenia and Iran as "strategic." He said that Armenia will continue to work to further cooperation with Iran. According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, in a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Mirzoyan said that Armenia will not allow its territory to be used for any action against Iran.

Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with numerous missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and US military bases and other facilities in the region. Iran also tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz.