[TEHRAN, February 28, 2026] — Breaking its silence hours after last night’s massive U.S. and Israeli air operations, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a fiery official response, declaring that the Islamic Republic will retaliate “with authority” to the strikes on the capital.
The statement, delivered during a tense press conference in Tehran by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, signals that the region is now bracing for a significant and potentially symmetric response.
A “Proportional” Counter Promised
Standing before the media just hours after smoke cleared from IRGC facilities, Kanaani called the joint operation, which involved assets from the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, a “flagrant violation of international law and national sovereignty.”
“The aggressors believe they can strike and retreat without consequence,” Kanaani stated emphatically. “They are mistaken. The Islamic Republic reserves the inherent right to respond at a time and place of our choosing. This response will be executed with the authority and force necessary to deter future acts of dynamic aggression.”
While avoiding specific military details, the spokesperson emphasized that Iran’s “proportional counter” would be “crushing.”
3 Ways Iran Could Respond “With Authority”
Analysts specializing in Middle Eastern defense and intelligence are now debating how Iran intends to define “authority.” While a direct conventional strike on U.S. or Israeli soil is considered less likely, three scenarios are being prioritized by Western intelligence:
- Proxies Take the Lead (Hezbollah/Houthis): This is the most established Iranian doctrine. We could see a coordinated massive rocket or drone volley launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon toward Israeli population centers, or renewed Houthi attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
- A Red Sea/Persian Gulf Escalation: Iran possesses advanced mining and swarm-boat capabilities. A high-leverage “authoritative” response could involve mining the Strait of Hormuz or targeting a Western-flagged commercial tanker, effectively creating a global energy crisis.
- A Precision Cyber Offensive: Iran has spent a decade building significant offensive cyber capabilities. An immediate, asymmetrical response could target U.S. financial systems or power grids, allowing Tehran to demonstrate authority without the immediate risk of further conventional war.
Global Impact: Markets in Turmoil
Tehran’s promise of a firm response sent shockwaves through the global economy immediately. Oil futures skyrocketed, with Brent crude jumping over 12% as markets began pricing in a disruption to the 20 million barrels of oil that flow daily through the Persian Gulf choke point.
The statement confirms that the confrontation is not over. The world is now watching to see if Tehran will fulfill its vow of retaliation, and how the United States will respond to a counter-strike.
We are providing continuous, verified updates on this deteriorating situation as new information from Tehran and Washington becomes available.