Kاظم غریب‌آبادی, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said that if necessary, Iran could carry out a preemptive attack against U.S. interests in the region:

“In order to defend our national security and national interests, Iran can certainly take preemptive actions as well. The issue is the survival of a country—when a country is at war, its very existence is at risk.”

“Why should we always wait for America to attack us and then defend ourselves?”

“Why shouldn’t we carry out actions against American interests if we consider the situation suitable? These matters are now within the framework of the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”