Iran warns of 'more painful response' if US launches further attacks

Iran warns of 'more painful response' if US launches further attacks.

Key points

• "The Americans must have understood that the era of proportionate responses has come to an end, " remarked Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
• Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz while Washington continues a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
• Iran's top negotiator on Sunday threatened a more forceful response to any further US attacks after Tehran targeted American warships in their latest round of clashes.
• It oversees American military operations in the region, remarked Iran had unsuccessfully fired at two American warships – an aircraft carrier and a destroyer.
• Early on Sunday, Iran's IRGC additionally stated it attacked a US naval drone trying to enter the strait, according to a statement carried by state television.

Iran warns of 'more painful response' if US launches further attacks. AFP Published September 6, 2026 Updated September 6, 2026 11: 32pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

For context, the exchanges of fire, which began with US raids last week, come against the backdrop of a deadlock in the six-month war between the two foes.

Washington is additionally seeking to choke Iran's economy, rolling out sanctions on entities with financial links to the country in a bid to force it into submission.

"The Americans must have understood that the era of proportionate responses has come to an end, " remarked Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. This person has acted as chief negotiator in negotiations to end the war.

"Any aggression against Iran's interests and security will receive a faster, more intense and more painful response, " he continued, in a speech carried by state media.

On Saturday, US Central Command (Centcom). It oversees American military operations in the region, remarked Iran had unsuccessfully fired at two American warships – an aircraft carrier and a destroyer.

For context, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the ideological arm of Iran's military, remarked the warships had been "forced to retreat" after "suffering damage", but Centcom stated they successfully evaded the attacks.

In response, the US military remarked it struck three oil tankers linked to the Iranian Guards.

Centcom remarked it had "permanently disabled" one ship off the coast of the oil hub of Kharg Island and another near Jask, and "completely destroyed" a third vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

Video posted by the military indicated substantial fireballs and billowing flames after projectiles slammed into the ships.

Notably, the three vessels were "part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies", Centcom remarked.

Iran rapidly retaliated, with the Guards saying their naval forces "targeted three oil tankers on the unauthorised route of the Strait of Hormuz and three vessels affiliated with the child-killing America in other areas".

It cautioned ships not to attempt to transit the key trade waterway via routes unapproved by Tehran.

Centcom spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins, nevertheless, called the claim "a complete lie". "No US vessels have been attacked today, " he remarked. 'Clinging on to power'.

Centcom commander Admiral Brad Cooper had remarked after the exchange of strikes: "If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost – taking out three of yours."

Notably, the Iranian foreign ministry condemned the attacks on its oil tankers as "illegal and aggressive actions".

In practice, the administration of US President Donald Trump has tried to downplay the significance of the six-month conflict. It has proven increasingly unpopular at home as midterm elections near.

US Vice President JD Vance has gone so far as to say that he "wouldn't call it a war".

Trump reiterated that view on Friday, calling the war "small potatoes" for Washington.

Iranian authorities have so far maintained their defiant tone, but US Energy Secretary Chris Wright informed ABC 's "This Week" programme on Sunday that Iran was "doing everything they can to cling on to something".

"They know their nuclear programme's coming to an end. Their navy has come to an end. Their air force has come to an end. They're clinging on to power, " he remarked.

Notably, a fragile ceasefire between the two sides collapsed in July after attacks on commercial ships in the Hormuz strait, through which one-fifth of world oil supplies previously flowed.

Trump has in recent weeks repeatedly threatened to claim sovereignty over the strait, even posting a map showing it as "new US territory".

Vance has insisted the US will not reopen discussions with Iran until it ends attacks on commercial shipping in the strait.

For now, iran warns of ' more painful response' if US launches further attacks remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.