Iran warned on Friday that it would treat any U.S. military action against the country as an "act of aggression" regardless of scale, and would respond accordingly.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, made the remarks during a briefing when asked about the possibility of limited U.S. military operations, according to state news agency IRNA. He stated clearly that military attacks and negotiations are incompatible.
"Any form of attack constitutes an act of aggression, and there will be corresponding consequences," Baghaei emphasized.
On nuclear negotiations, Baghaei explained that sanctions relief and guarantees to prevent nuclear weapons development could be major agenda items.
The spokesman also criticized comments made by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy and head of the American negotiating team, who told Fox News the previous day that "the President is wondering why they haven't surrendered."
"Negotiations that begin with unilateral pressure and preconceptions cannot yield good results," Baghaei said.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who oversees the negotiations, announced that the third round of talks between the two countries is scheduled for May 26 in Geneva, Switzerland. The U.S. is reportedly demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment and transfer nuclear materials abroad. Iran has reportedly offered instead to dilute its 60% enriched uranium to lower concentrations.