Iran warns of "painful retaliation" for any resumption of U.S. strikes
Iran has warned of 'sustained, wide-ranging, and painful retaliation' if the U.S. resumes military strikes, following unconfirmed reports that President Trump was briefed on new attack plans. Iranian officials rejected the U.S. legal justification for the conflict, calling it an act of aggression rather than self-defense, while maintaining that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons. The Trump administration faces a congressional deadline on the use of military force, with the Pentagon arguing the 60-day limit is paused due to an ongoing ceasefire.
- ▪A senior Iranian commander warned that any new U.S. strike would trigger sustained and wide-ranging retaliation.
- ▪Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the U.S. claim of self-defense, calling the war an act of aggression with no legal justification.
- ▪The U.S. State Department asserts the conflict is in collective self-defense of Israel and in defense of U.S. national security interests.
- ▪The International Atomic Energy Agency found no evidence Iran was attempting to build a nuclear weapon before the war began.
- ▪The Trump administration is operating under a 60-day legal limit on unauthorized military action, which the Pentagon claims is paused during the ceasefire.
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Live Live Updates: Iran war's costs rise as Tehran warns Trump any new attack would bring "painful retaliation" By Tucker Reals Tucker Reals Editor Tucker Reals is CBSNews.com's foreign editor, based in the CBS News London bureau. He has worked for CBS News since 2006, prior to which he worked for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C., and London. Read Full Bio Tucker Reals Updated on: May 1, 2026 / 7:34 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google What to know about the Iran war today:The White House hasn't confirmed a report that President Trump was briefed on options to launch new strikes on Iran, but a senior Iranian commander responded Friday, warning that any resumption of attacks would bring "sustained, wide-ranging, and painful retaliation."Mr.
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