In a high-stakes moment, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a sharply worded statement, affirming its full readiness to retaliate against any hostile action — a direct response to Israel’s renewed threats of targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In a statement released Saturday, the IRGC declared that its forces are “ready and with fingers on the trigger,” prepared to deliver a response that would be both decisive and beyond imagination should the Zionist entity engage in aggression.
“Any act of hostility will not only bring deep regret to the delusional aggressors,” the statement warned, “but will also shift the balance of strategic power in favour of the axis of truth — and against the Zionist proxy.”
This strong message came just one day after the Iranian Armed Forces’ General Staff also vowed to respond “decisively and with full force” to what it described as any misguided action against the nation.
Adding to the chorus, IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini stressed that “any foolishness from Israel will be met with a devastating response.”
Nuclear Talks in Rome: Unresolved Progress Between Iran and the U.S.
Meanwhile, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi confirmed the conclusion of the fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, held in Rome. He described the round as showing “some progress, but not conclusive.”
In a statement posted on the platform X, Al-Busaidi noted:
“Today marks the end of the fifth round of talks between Iran and the United States. While there was some progress, it remains inconclusive.”He expressed hope that the remaining issues will be clarified in the coming days, paving the way for a sustainable and honourable agreement.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led the Iranian delegation, affirmed the complexity of the discussions with Washington and stated that further rounds would be necessary. Still, he indicated that progress could be achieved through the proposals put forth by Omani mediators.
An Iranian source close to the negotiation team told Reuters that the next round may be held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, which continues to act as a trusted mediator in this delicate dossier. The date and venue are yet to be finalised, with expectations that talks will resume for several more days.
Background: U.S.-Iran Talks Reignite After Trump’s Message to Khamenei
This latest round of diplomacy follows a series of indirect discussions that began on April 12, 2025, after former U.S. President Donald Trump sent a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March 2025. That message, though framed as an invitation to negotiate, carried a thinly veiled threat of military action.
Iran responded through diplomatic channels in Oman, setting the stage for multiple negotiation rounds in both Muscat and Rome.
Since the onset of the talks, Israel has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction, insisting that it will never allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons — a claim Iran has consistently rejected.
