Iran threatens to ‘rain down hell’ if US escalates war

What the report says

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned on Sunday that Tehran would “rain down hell” if the United States resumes attacks, as tensions remain high in the countries’ eight-month conflict. In a post on X, he said Iran’s proposal remains open for a short-term deal that would address war-related demands, but he framed any renewed US action as likely to trigger a forceful response. Iranian officials also said the country would not be lenient toward American targets in the region.

US President Donald Trump responded by saying further strikes on Iran were unlikely if talks move ahead on Tehran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, although he said additional action remained possible if needed. He told reporters, according to the article, that US forces in the region were ready and that the US could hit Iranian targets quickly if necessary. The comments reflected continued brinkmanship rather than any immediate change in policy.

The exchange followed reports of an oil tanker fire east of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian state media linked to a naval mine. The article also quoted an adviser to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force making similar threats of a severe response. The standoff matters because the Strait of Hormuz is a key global shipping route and any escalation could affect regional security and energy markets.