If struck, Iran says US would face 'crushing response'

It comes after Trump drew up plans to launch strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

2 min read

17 November, 2020

Iran's nuclear facilities would be the likely target of a US strike [Getty]

Iran has warned the US that any military action against it would lead to a "crushing response" following reports that President Donald Trump drew up plans for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

"Any action against the Iranian nation would certainly face a crushing response," said government spokesperson Ali Rabiei, according to Reuters.

The spokesperson also accused arch-regional rival Israel of using "psychological warfare" and insisted that Tehran's nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes only.

"I personally don't foresee that it's probable that they (the United States) would want to cause insecurity in the world and the region," Rabiei said.

It follows a Reuters report alleging that Trump had spoken last week with advisors about a possible strike on the Natanz nuclear power plant in Iran.

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There were also rumours that Trump had been considering action against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Although Trump did not order military strikes on Iran, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz warned Tehran that it should not rest easy.

"If I were the Iranians, I would not feel at ease," Steinitz said according to Reuters.

"It is very important that the Iranians know that if, indeed, they suddenly dash toward high levels of enrichment, in the direction of nuclear weaponry, they are liable to encounter the military might of the United States - and also, perhaps, of other countries," he told Army Radio.