Iran Warns of Sustained Retaliation Against US and Regional Allies Following Alleged European Meeting

TEHRAN, Sept. 20 (AP) — Iran's joint operational military command issued a stark warning on Saturday, stating that any aggression against the Islamic Republic will trigger sustained retaliatory attacks against United States positions and interests across the Middle East. The declaration marks a significant escalation in regional tensions following Tehran's assertion that Washington has authorized renewed hostile actions with the backing of neighboring states.

The Iranian military command stated that its assessment is based on intelligence indicating a decision by the United States to resume operations targeting Iran. According to the statement, this shift in policy was approved during a joint meeting held in a European country, which reportedly included representatives from several regional nations. The command emphasized that these allies have provided a "green light" for the resumption of hostilities, framing the potential conflict as a coordinated effort rather than isolated American action.

In response to the perceived threat, Iran vowed to strike back with force against US military assets and diplomatic interests throughout West Asia. The warning did not specify the nature or timing of potential retaliatory measures but characterized them as "sustained," suggesting a prolonged campaign rather than a single strike. The statement served as a direct deterrent aimed at Washington and its partners, signaling that any move against Iranian sovereignty would be met with immediate and severe consequences.

The United States has not immediately commented on the specific allegations regarding a European meeting or the resumption of planned actions. However, the region remains on high alert following years of sporadic friction between Tehran and Western powers. The mention of a European venue for such a coordination meeting adds a new diplomatic dimension to the crisis, potentially implicating non-regional actors in the unfolding standoff.

Regional countries cited by Iran as having supported the US initiative have not publicly addressed the claims. The lack of immediate clarification from Washington or its allies leaves the scope of the alleged agreement unclear. Military analysts note that the ambiguity surrounding the specific targets and the timeline for potential retaliation creates a volatile environment for diplomatic resolution.

As tensions rise, the focus remains on whether the allegations of a coordinated European-backed strategy are accurate and how regional powers will react to Iran's threat of sustained attacks. The situation is developing rapidly, with observers awaiting official responses from Washington and European capitals to determine if de-escalation measures can be implemented before military posturing turns into active conflict.