In response, Ali Larijani stated in his post on X that the Iranian people do not succumb to "empty threats" and warned Trump to "exercise caution." Many media outlets interpreted his words as a clear or veiled threat against the American president.
This exchange of statements occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which reached a new stage after attacks on Iranian territory on February 28. According to Reuters, these attacks resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Furthermore, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains extremely tense. Iran has previously stated the possibility of closing the strait and threatened to open fire on vessels attempting to cross it. Shipping in this strategically important area has effectively come to a halt.
