Iran: we will defend ourselves ‘harshly’ against any US attack

The Speaker of Iran’s parliament has warned that his country will target US B-2 bombers if Donald Trump follows through on a threat to bomb Iran.

Iran will not tolerate US aggression

Trump, speaking before his 29 December meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, had indicated that “beautiful B-2 bombers” would support Israeli attacks on Iranian military infrastructure. Trump added that:

Iran may be behaving badly. Because it has not been confirmed, but if it is, the consequences will be more severe than last time.

I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them.

Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made direct reference to Trump’s threat when he told gathered MPs in a televised address that:

I emphasise that Iran does not seek permission from anyone to defend itself. The Iranian people’s response to any widespread adventurism and evil is unapologetic and even unexpected.

I hope they’re not doing it because we don’t want to waste the fuel on a B2. It’s a 37-hour trip both ways. I don’t want to waste a lot of fuel.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, added in a post on X:

Under Iran’s defense doctrine, responses are set before threats materialize. Iran’s missile capability and defense are not containable or permission-based. Any aggression will face an immediate harsh response beyond its planners’ imagination.

Also on X, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a “harsh and regrettable” response if the US attacked.

US B-2 bombers attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025 in support of Israel. Iran’s response wrecked large areas of Israeli cities and launched six missiles at a US base in Qatar.

Featured image via the Canary