Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei said on Thursday that negotiations with Washington had been suspended, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. His warning came as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported targeting four vessels in the northern Arabian Gulf and accused the United States of increasing risks to maritime traffic.
The latest statements reflect escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran warning of a broader response if military confrontation resumes.
Iran Warns of Attacks on US Technology Infrastructure
Rezaei warned that undersea internet cables, data centres and artificial intelligence facilities could be targeted if a new war breaks out. The warning signals that Iran could seek to expand the potential scope of a conflict beyond conventional military installations.
A senior Iranian security official separately warned that US political assets and infrastructure belonging to countries participating in a new war against Iran could be considered legitimate targets if Iranian officials were assassinated or civilians were killed.
According to the official, Tehran believes another US-Israeli attack is possible and considers Washington’s diplomatic assurances unreliable. The official also claimed that Israeli priorities were influencing US policy in the Middle East.
Iran views the US naval and economic blockade, along with restrictions affecting its airspace, as a continuation of military aggression that began on February 28. The official said mounting domestic pressure was pushing Iranian authorities towards decisive action to challenge the blockade.
These statements represent Iran’s position and do not establish that attacks on the threatened infrastructure have occurred.
IRGC Claims Four Oil-Carrying Ships Were Targeted
The IRGC Navy said its forces targeted four vessels in the northern Arabian Gulf after tracking them while they were transferring oil cargoes between ships.
In a statement, the Iranian force said fires were still burning on the targeted vessels. It accused the ships of travelling along unauthorised routes and alleged that they were involved in illegal oil transfers.
The IRGC also accused Washington of encouraging ships to cross a maritime passage that had been planted with mines, claiming that the practice was contributing to an increase in maritime incidents.
Iran warned that continued US actions could widen its response to include American military bases across the region.
The IRGC separately claimed that three other vessels had struck mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. The circumstances surrounding the reported incidents and the full extent of any damage were not independently established in the supplied report.
Trump Says the US Is Not Negotiating With Iran
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington was not negotiating with Tehran, adding that developments would occur “fairly soon.”
Speaking to reporters after returning from a rally in South Carolina, Trump said the United States would see what happened next, while acknowledging that many people expected developments after the US midterm elections.
During his rally remarks, Trump said the United States could end its war with Iran immediately but wanted to ensure that the outcome would last.
He also claimed that Washington had defeated Iran militarily and financially, insisting that Tehran would never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.
Trump’s remarks came amid uncertainty over whether diplomatic efforts could prevent another round of military confrontation.
US and Israel Reportedly Prepare Plans for Renewed Strikes
The New York Times reported that US and Israeli militaries had developed plans for possible renewed strikes against Iran following the US midterm elections.
Citing US officials and other people briefed on the discussions, the newspaper said preparations had advanced for a potential short but intensive campaign. The report also described stepped-up military exercises, including flights over Iraq to practise strike manoeuvres.
Potential targets reportedly include Iranian nuclear facilities, missile and drone capabilities, and energy infrastructure. The newspaper also reported that plans could involve an attack on Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried site associated with Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s IRGC Navy Reports Seven Vessels Hit, Warns US of Wider Response
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel to discuss the possibility of further strikes.
However, the report stressed that it remained uncertain whether Trump would approve a renewed campaign. The president has previously rejected plans to return to major combat operations during the year.
A White House official told the newspaper that the administration did not comment on military plans that might or might not exist.
Tehran Warns of Wider Regional Consequences
A senior Iranian security official told Fars News Agency that Iran could consider US political assets and infrastructure in countries participating in a new war as legitimate targets if Iranian officials were assassinated or civilians killed.
The official said Tehran believed the risk of another attack had increased and accused Washington of allowing Israeli interests to take precedence over diplomatic efforts.
Iran has also warned that continued pressure on its economy and maritime activity could prompt it to take what it describes as measures in self-defence.
The warnings come amid heightened tensions over the US naval blockade and restrictions on maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important passage for international energy shipments.
With Iran threatening a broader range of potential targets and reports emerging of renewed US-Israeli military planning, the risk of further escalation remains a central concern. Whether the situation leads to renewed attacks or a diplomatic breakthrough remains uncertain.
