Iran Threatens 'Devastating and Decisive Response' If Attacked
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Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued a sharp warning, vowing a "devastating and decisive response" if Israel initiates any military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. The statement, delivered through state media, came after reports that U.S. intelligence believes Israel may be preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
The escalating rhetoric coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts, as Tehran and Washington prepare for a fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome on Friday. At the center of the impasse is Iran's insistence on its right to enrich uranium on its own soil—something the U.S. and its allies view as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment.
Why It Matters
The possibility of direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has grown amid mounting tensions and stalled diplomacy. A failed deal—or one seen as inadequate by Israel—could lead to preemptive strikes that might ignite a broader regional conflict.
The nuclear negotiations are now a critical diplomatic flashpoint with global stakes. While Tehran says that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian use, its refusal to curb uranium enrichment has raised alarms in Israel and the West. Iran's leaders say they have no intention of building a bomb, but continue to expand their nuclear infrastructure as talks drag on.
A Revolutionary Guard member stands guard in front of an Iranian domestically built missile displayed during Basij paramilitary force rally in support of the Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
A Revolutionary Guard member stands guard in front of an Iranian domestically built missile displayed during Basij paramilitary force rally in support of the Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023.
Vahid Salemi/AP Photo
What to Know
The Revolutionary Guards' (IRGC) warning marks a sharp escalation in Iran's military rhetoric, signaling Tehran's readiness to respond forcefully to any attack. Spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said adversaries are "miscalculating" Iran's capabilities, stressing the country's strong military and popular backing in wartime. Iran and Israel directly exchanged fire in April and October of last year.
U.S.-Iran Talks Face Major Obstacle
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X before departing for the nuclear talks, clearly stating Iran's red line in the upcoming negotiations: a deal is possible if the U.S. demands "zero nuclear weapons," but not if it insists on "zero enrichment." He concluded his message with a stark ultimatum—"Time to decide."
Set to travel to Rome for 5th round of indirect talks with the United States.
Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science:
Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal.
Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal.
Time to decide... — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 22, 2025
Weapons Grade
Friday's talks in Rome come ahead of a June meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the October deadline tied to the 2015 nuclear deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. The deal has been severely undermined since President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018. Since then, Iran has expanded its nuclear program, enriching uranium to 60 percent—well above the 3.67 percent limit but below weapons-grade levels.
What People Are Saying
IRGC spokesperson Alimohammad Naini stated: "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "As the president told me, and he's told all of you, this deal with Iran could end in two ways. It could end in a very positive diplomatic solution, or it could end in a very negative situation for Iran."
What Happens Next
Iran and the U.S. are scheduled to resume nuclear negotiations on Friday at noon in Rome, with uranium enrichment remaining the core issue likely to determine the outcome of any future agreement. The stakes are high, as failure to reach a deal could escalate tensions and increase the risk of regional conflict.
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