ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Iranian lawmaker warned on Monday that Tehran could take the conflict to the streets of the United States if the country comes under further US attack.
Abbas Moghtadaei, deputy head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission, made the remarks in what appeared to be a direct threat that Iran could launch attacks inside the United States if it is subjected to another military strike.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) external arm, the Quds Force, along with the Ministry of Intelligence, have previously carried out terror campaigns, from Europe to Latin America.
“Now they want to come and attack us again. We do not want war, but if they attack us, should we do nothing?” Moghtadaei told the state-run Channel 3. “This war has the capacity for the response to be delivered in the streets of the United States of America. Trump should take note of this.”
He added that there is growing sentiment among parts of the Iranian public that Tehran should not limit its response to US bases in the region if another conflict erupts. The remarks come as several attacks have been carried out by a newly emerged group targeting Jewish and American interests across Europe since Israel and the United States launched a major air campaign against Iran on February 28. A previously unknown group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Tehran and Washington are expected to hold another round of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, later this week, despite reluctance from the Iranian side, which has said it will not negotiate under pressure.
The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf since April 13, forcing back around two dozen vessels and detaining one cargo ship on Sunday.
The United States and Israel carried out a six-week air campaign targeting around 15,000 sites across Iran, killing nearly 3,400 people, most of whom are believed to be military personnel.
The parties agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which is due to expire early Wednesday. However, US President Donald Trump has given Iran until early Wednesday to agree to a deal, warning that otherwise every power plant and bridge in Iran could be destroyed.
The Iranian lawmaker’s comments echo past actions by the Islamic Republic since 1979. Iranian operatives assisted by elements from Lebanese Hezbollah, targeted dissidents in Europe and carried out attacks on Jewish sites in Argentina. Several Kurdish leaders were assassinated in Austria and Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The United States and European countries have repeatedly accused Iran of conducting hostile operations on their soil. In March, the FBI warned that the Iranian government “poses a persistent threat” to US personnel, government facilities, Jewish and Israeli institutions, and Iranian dissidents, according to Reuters.
British intelligence also said in March it was monitoring suspected Iranian sleeper cells amid concerns of potential retaliation for the US and Israeli military campaign. Iran has been accused of targeting journalists and dissidents in the UK and the United States in recent years.
Separately, Major General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s joint military command, said on Tuesday that the armed forces were ready “to deliver decisive, immediate, and determining responses to any threats or hostile actions.”
