DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran will respond firmly to any US threat against it, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday, citing foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.
“We will not allow any violation against Iran’s borders. Iran will firmly confront any aggression or threat by America,” he told Tasnim.
Tension between Tehran and Washington has spiked since Thursday when an Iranian missile destroyed a US Global Hawk surveillance drone. Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it occurred in international airspace.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran’s downing of the unmanned US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signaled he was open to talks with Tehran.
“Regardless of any decision they (US officials) make, we will not allow the Islamic Republic’s territory to be violated,” Mousavi said.
Writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by John Stonestreet
Image: FILE PHOTO – Iran’s national flags are seen on a square in Tehran February 10, 2012. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl
