Acting Defence Minister Rejects Threats as Mere Psychological Warfare

Acting defence minister of Iran, Saeed Majid ibn Al‑Raja, posted on X that Tehran takes every hostile warning seriously and will not dismiss them as simple psychological tactics. He asserted that Iran will not be surprised nor remain passive when faced with intimidation, and that such threats are used to sharpen the nation’s readiness, strengthen its deterrent posture and expand its capabilities.

His statement came on the heels of President Masoud Pejshakian’s call for the United States to feel pressure in order to honour the peace memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries. Pejshakian wrote that the Supreme National Security Council’s members view the MOU as a future cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy and that the agreement would improve security for Iran, its region and its allies.

The dialogue follows a bold declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, in which he said America is prepared to unleash a level of military force against Iran that has not been seen since the end of World War II, while also noting that Washington had postponed attacks at the request of Iran and other regional players. Trump referenced an anticipated agreement that would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and eliminate the perceived nuclear threat from Tehran.

The MOU was signed on 18 June, setting a 60‑day deadline for both sides to negotiate a final deal. Recent escalations, including U.S. strikes on Iranian locations in response to Iranian missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Hormuz Strait, have stalled progress, and Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in the same waterway.