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Iran to reciprocate if US returns to June deal as Trump reportedly mulls strikes

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (L) meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) as he attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, August 31, 2026. ( Iranian Presidency / Handout - Anadolu Agency )
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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (L) meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R) as he attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, August 31, 2026. ( Iranian Presidency / Handout - Anadolu Agency )
September 01, 2026 09:03 AM GMT+03:00

Iran will immediately reciprocate if the U.S. honors its June Islamabad memorandum and opens talks to end the hostilities, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, as President Donald Trump reportedly weighs limited strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at the 26th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Pezeshkian accused Washington of violating the agreement less than two weeks after it was signed.

"Clearly, the violation of US commitments was met with an appropriate response from Iran," Pezeshkian said, according to Iran’s state-run outlet ISNA. "But I state clearly that if the U.S. returns to its commitments under the memorandum, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take reciprocal action."

Trump reportedly weighs Hormuz strikes

The Islamabad memorandum was signed by the U.S. and Iran on June 17-18, 2026, with Pakistan mediating and Qatar helping facilitate the talks.

It ended military operations and set a 60-day window for broader negotiations on issues including Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief, while providing for an end to the U.S. naval blockade and safe commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The deal unraveled within weeks as Washington and Tehran clashed over its implementation, including Hormuz shipping, sanctions and Iran’s nuclear program. Renewed fighting further undermined the ceasefire, and the memorandum expired Aug. 17 without a final deal.

Pezeshkian’s remarks come as Trump and his senior aides have been considering limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from rebuilding radar and missile capabilities that could be used to attack ships, Axios reported, citing three U.S. officials.

U.S. Central Command developed the plan over the past week, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed it. Trump had not approved the strikes before the weekend’s exchange of fire with Iran.

The proposed strikes are intended to reduce the risk of Iranian attacks on oil tankers, U.S. Navy ships and Air Force aircraft in the waterway, according to a U.S. official cited by Axios.

CENTCOM had told Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and the White House that U.S. forces might need to strike Iran periodically to keep dozens of oil tankers moving through the Gulf relatively safely.

The White House had been leaning against approving the strikes the previous week to avoid further escalation, according to U.S. officials.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet prepares for launch from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier during operations in the Middle East. (Photo via X/@CENTCOM)
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II fighter jet prepares for launch from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier during operations in the Middle East. (Photo via X/@CENTCOM)

Iran warns of heavier response

The reported preparations came after U.S. forces struck Iranian troops who were preparing to launch rockets with mines into the strait. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones toward Jordan and the UAE, targeting U.S. air bases.

Following the exchange of fire, Trump told Fox News on Monday that the U.S. would respond to the Iranian attacks and "hit them hard."

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned Monday that any further U.S. attack would trigger a "much heavier" response.

In a joint statement, the two military bodies accused Washington of continuing to use the territory, airspace and facilities of regional countries to launch attacks on Iran despite previous warnings and assurances from some governments.

They said Iran respects the sovereignty of neighboring countries but "will never tolerate aggression," adding that "the U.S. has no choice but to leave the region."

The statement also warned countries helping U.S. military operations that the IRGC and Iranian army would strike the source of any attack with "overwhelming force."

"Do not test the resolve of Iran’s armed forces again," it added.

September 01, 2026 09:15 AM GMT+03:00
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