Iran Warns of “Prepared Response” as Trump Considers Renewing Military Action

by | May 12, 2026 | News

gray warship on body of water

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply Monday after nuclear negotiations collapsed over the weekend, with Iranian officials issuing pointed warnings and President Trump reportedly weighing renewed military action.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as Tehran’s chief negotiator, wrote on social media that Iran is “prepared for all options” and ready to “deliver a well-deserved response to any aggression.” He insisted that the only viable path forward is American acceptance of Iran’s 14-point proposal, warning that any other approach would result in continued failure and mounting costs for American taxpayers.

Trump pushed back sharply, calling Iran’s latest negotiating response “a piece of garbage” and describing the current ceasefire as “unbelievably weak.” He claimed Iranian negotiators had verbally offered to allow the US to retrieve Tehran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium but then withheld that concession from their written submission. Iran has made no public indication of willingness to make such a concession.

Trump told Fox News he is considering restarting “Project Freedom,” the US operation to escort vessels through the Iranian-blockaded Strait of Hormuz, which he had halted roughly a day after it began last week. He suggested that if relaunched, it would form only part of a broader military operation.

A high-level security meeting was held Monday at the White House Situation Room, attended by Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, CIA Director Ratcliffe, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury announced sanctions against three individuals and nine companies for facilitating Iran’s oil trade with China, including entities based in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Oman. The State Department offered up to $15 million for information disrupting the financial networks of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

On the diplomatic front, the UK and France announced a multinational defense ministers’ meeting Tuesday focused on restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with more than 40 countries invited to participate.

+ posts