Iran warned on Friday that any new US threats would face a “devastating” and decisive response across land, sea, air, air defense, and cyberspace. This followed statements from US Treasury Chief Scott Bessent promising the toughest financial penalties in history, aimed at forcing a political shift in Tehran. Bessent’s comments aligned with President Donald Trump’s Thursday warning of economic consequences for any nation offering a lifeline to Iran. 

Major General Ali Abdollahi affirmed the military’s full readiness to deliver crushing retaliation. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf suggested Washington recognised it could not win a direct military conflict. On the economic front, oil prices steadied near three-week highs, on track for a second weekly rise due to persistent fears over potential Gulf energy export disruptions and stranded Middle Eastern oil supplies.