Iran warns US of ‘heavier, painful response’ to further attacks amid mounting economic pressure

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Iran is warning the US that any further attack on its interests and security will bring a stronger response as military tensions resume and economic pressure continues to hit the country. On Sunday, September 6, Iran also said it would step up efforts to deal with problems linked to US sanctions.

The warning came after a fresh round of tit-for-tat strikes following a pause in military action through much of August.

The latest developments have also raised fresh attention around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran says a restricted zone will soon be announced.

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warns of faster and heavier Iranian response

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the US needs to understand that “the rules of the game have changed” following the latest attacks.

“From now on, any attack against Iran's interests and security will receive a faster, heavier and more painful response,” Qalibaf said in a speech published on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

The statement followed the US Central Command's announcement that it had struck three Iranian tankers on Saturday after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships.

The conflict began six months ago after US-Israeli strikes on Iran. A preliminary ceasefire agreement reached in June has since unravelled, while diplomatic efforts to restart the peace process have made little progress.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said a restricted zone would be announced outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.

The zone will include areas in the Gulf, and Rezaei said any ship entering it would be added to a sanctions list.

Iran's economy faces pressure from US sanctions and oil blockade

While Iran continues to face military pressure, Qalibaf said the country's other major battle was over production and people's livelihoods.

He pointed to sharp currency fluctuations, inflation, unemployment and market management as major challenges.

Qalibaf said Iranians could tolerate hardship but not mismanagement or inaction, and expected the government to move quickly.

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said Tehran planned to respond to US economic pressure through reforms and rejected the idea that sanctions would force Iran to change course.

“They speak of economic pressure and isolation, of breaking off financial ties and they think that by pressuring the economy of a country they can change the decisions of its people,” Madanizadeh said. “I have to clarify one point: The responsibility of reforming Iran's economy is with its government and people, not with the US Treasury.”

Economy Ministry Deputy Morteza Zamanian also said the ministry's “Economic War Headquarters” was stepping up efforts to deal with problems caused by the war.

Mohsen Paknejad says Kharg Island was hit around 550 times

Iran's oil industry is also facing pressure. The country had exported 90% of its crude through Kharg Island before the war, while oil flows have been disrupted since a US blockade of Iranian oil exports began in mid-April.

US Central Command said on Sunday that it had redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two as part of efforts to enforce the blockade.

US President Donald Trump had also posted an AI-generated video on August 31 depicting Kharg Island being “blown to smithereens.”

Iranian authorities have warned of a strong response if the island is attacked.

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said in an interview aired on state TV on Sunday that Kharg Island had been hit around 550 times in previous months but continued to operate.

Strait of Hormuz tensions add pressure as US-Iran conflict continues

The Strait of Hormuz remains another key point in the growing tensions.

Iran has imposed a blockade on the waterway, while US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said oil was still moving through it.

“Our transits through the Strait are averaging over 9 million barrels a day now, and with the access pipelines that go around the strait, we're probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows,” Wright told CNN.

“So Iranians are still causing trouble, but the United States Navy is winning that battle,” he added.