Tehran warns Washington to refrain from attacking Iran, both before and after the US midterm elections, said Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters of the Iranian armed forces.

Earlier, President Donald Trump said that the US could intensify strikes on Iran after the elections in November, and did not rule out the possibility of renewed fighting before the vote.

“Before or after the [US midterm] elections, regardless of the outcome, if they [the US] take any action against Iran, independently or at the instigation [of Israel], the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will immediately, powerfully, and painfully strike American interests without any restrictions. You have already witnessed this during the Ramadan war [in February-April, during the heated phase of the US-Israeli-Iran conflict],” Abdollahi said, Iranian state television and radio reports.

The senior Iranian military official added that in the event of the resumption of hostilities, “the fire will consume everyone.”

And regarding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Abdollahi noted that the IAEA should refrain from making statements about Iran’s nuclear facilities and not play the role of “a wolf in sheep's clothing.” According to him, claims about Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons are a big lie that could become an occasion for starting a new war against Iran.