Iran-US tensions LIVE: Trump's ‘far worse’ action warning gets Iran's ‘fingers on the trigger’ response

Iran-US tensions LIVE: Trump has warned Iran to make a deal with US or face military strikes worse than last time

Iran-US tensions LIVE: After United States President Donald Trump threatened a “far worse” attack on Iran than last year's strike on its nuclear facilities, the country's foreign minister Syed Abbas Araghchi issued a warning in response. Aragchi said that Iran would “immediately and powerfully respond” to any aggression against it, while adding that the country had learnt “valuable lessons” from the 12-day war last year. “Our brave Armed Forces are prepared—with their fingers on the trigger—to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression against our beloved land, air, and sea,” he said.

Iran's foreign minister also asserted the country's openness to a “fair and equitable nuclear deal”, if it is done on an “equal footing” and “ensure Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear technology.” Araghchi also rejected Iran having acquired any nuclear weapons.

This comes even as Trump is reportedly weighing options against Iran, including targeted strikes on security forces and leaders, Reuters cited multiple sources as saying.

Two US sources familiar with the matter said the US President wants to create “conditions for regime change” to inspire protestors, Reuters reported, Trump has earlier warned Iran against crackdown on protestors, even as the country witnesses a nationwide agitation.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was no plan to attack when it came to Iran, but justified American military presence in the region as “wise and prudent.”

Trump says US carrier group ‘ready’ to fulfill mission if needed, Iran vows response ‘like never before’

US President Trump has warned Iran to make a deal with US or face military strikes worse than last time. In a post on Truth Social, the US President said the fleet of US ships in the region, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, was “ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties,” Trump said. "Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” the US President added.

Replying to the warning, Iran said it is ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests, but “if pushed, it will defend itself and respond like never before.”

What is the situation in Iran? Key points

• At least 6,221 people have been killed – including 5,856 protesters, 100 minors, 214 members of the security forces and 49 bystanders – amid a crackdown on the nationwide protests in Iran which began last month, US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said.

• The rights group further said at least 42,324 people had been arrested in Iran, adding that it was still investigating another 17,091 possible fatalities, AFP reported.

• HRANA has warned that security forces are searching hospitals to identify wounded protestors. However, Monitor Netblocks Wednesday said internet connectivity had been restored to around 95 percent, almost three weeks after a communications blackout in the country.