The central command of Iran’s armed forces, known as the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced on Sunday that intelligence indicates the United States is preparing to restart air strikes against Iranian territory. The warning arrives after several months of reduced direct combat following a 60-day memorandum signed in June, which temporarily limited large-scale hostilities but expired last month.
Trump’s options and UN overtures
President Donald Trump appeared on Fox News on Sunday and described himself as being in a “deciding mode” regarding Iran. He outlined three pathways: intensified military action, heightened economic pressure, or a negotiated settlement. During the interview he reiterated the stark choice of “to obliterate Iran, letting it rot economically, or reach a deal.” Trump also signaled a willingness to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of this week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Iran’s retaliatory warning and strategic demands
In response, the Iranian military command warned that any renewed US assault would trigger retaliation against American bases and interests throughout the Middle East. Tehran declared that any state allowing its territory or facilities to support US operations would be deemed “complicit” and could face Iranian strikes. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf echoed the hard line, stating the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until Washington meets Tehran’s conditions: an end to the war on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Shipping traffic in the Hormuz corridor
Data released over the weekend show a sharp drop in commercial traffic through the strait. Only 12 commodity vessels passed the waterway, compared with 35 in the previous weekend, highlighting the economic ripple of the conflict that began in late February after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
Qatar’s diplomatic push and regional impact
Qatar continues to act as a mediator, shuttling between Tehran and Washington while also engaging Pakistani envoys. A spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majed al-Ansari said Doha has received assurances from US officials that Washington remains interested in reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Tehran on Sunday evening for the UN General Assembly, with a brief stop in Doha to coordinate the next round of talks.
Broader security context
The heightened tension prompted the US State Department to issue a travel advisory on Saturday, urging Americans in the region to exercise “heightened vigilance” and consider postponing trips. The alert cited recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure, underscoring the volatile environment that could quickly expand beyond the Iran-US axis. Republican strategist Mark Pfeifle told Al Jazeera that both sides are locked in a “frozen conflict,” each trying to increase pressure ahead of the UN gathering.
As diplomatic channels remain open, the dual track of military readiness and negotiation continues to shape the Middle East’s security calculus. Tehran’s explicit threat of “retaliation without limitations,” combined with Qatar’s push for a diplomatic reset, suggests that the next weeks will witness a delicate balance between escalation and compromise.
