The Iranian army is ready to "immediately and powerfully" respond to any aggression on land, air or sea, and the experience of last year's war with Israel will enable it to respond “even more strongly, rapidly, and profoundly,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted on X.

Araghchi's statement came amid the US deploying a fleet to the Middle East and strengthening its defenses along a possible line of contact with Iran.

"Our brave Armed Forces are prepared—with their fingers on the trigger—to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression against our beloved land, air, and sea. The valuable lessons learned from the 12-Day War have enabled us to respond even more strongly, rapidly, and profoundly," Araghchi wrote.

He added that Iran has always welcomed a “mutually beneficial, fair and equitable” nuclear deal.

"(...) on equal footing, and free from coercion, threats, and intimidation—which ensures Iran's rights to PEACEFUL nuclear technology, and guarantees NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Such weapons have no place in our security calculations and we [i.e. Iran] have NEVER sought to acquire them," the Iranian foreign minister concluded.