**Title: Iran Claims US Poised to Resume Military Strikes Amid Rising Tensions**
**Date: September 21, 2026**
Iran's military command has issued a warning regarding potential renewed military action by the United States, suggesting that the US is preparing to resume strikes on Iranian territory. This statement was made by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which oversees Iran's armed forces, and was reported on Sunday.
The warning comes after a period of reduced direct military confrontations between Iran and the US, raising concerns about the possibility of escalating hostilities. Tehran has made it clear that any renewed US military action would provoke retaliation against American bases and interests throughout the Middle East. Furthermore, Iranian officials have cautioned regional nations against cooperating with the US, stating that any country that allows its territory or facilities to be used for US attacks would be deemed complicit and could face consequences.
In a related development, US President Donald Trump indicated that he is in a "deciding mode" regarding Iran, contemplating various options that include military action, economic sanctions, or diplomatic negotiations. He mentioned the possibility of meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is set to attend the UN General Assembly, with a brief stopover in Qatar before his arrival in New York. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized the need for Tehran to utilize military force to counter its adversaries before engaging in diplomatic efforts to secure advantages.
Tehran has communicated to mediators from Qatar and Pakistan that any conditions for resuming negotiations include an end to hostilities, cessation of US military strikes, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Ghalibaf also stated that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy shipments, would remain closed until the US fulfills its obligations under a prior agreement.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Tohid Asadi noted that Iranian officials appear to be sending a dual message, expressing openness to diplomacy while simultaneously preparing for potential military engagement. Qatar, which has been acting as a mediator between the US and Iran, reported that its officials are actively facilitating discussions and exchanging proposals aimed at reviving negotiations.
The ongoing tensions have already begun to impact shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent data indicates a significant decrease in the number of commodity vessels crossing the strait, with only 12 vessels reported over the weekend, down from 35 the previous weekend. This decline in maritime traffic underscores the heightened risks associated with the current geopolitical climate.
The conflict, which escalated in late February following joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, has seen a temporary reduction in hostilities due to a 60-day memorandum reached in June. However, that agreement expired last month, leading to an uptick in military activities around the Strait of Hormuz.
Mark Pfeifle, a Republican strategist and former national security official, commented on the situation, stating that both the US and Iran are currently "locked in this frozen conflict," each attempting to exert pressure in anticipation of potential diplomatic discussions coinciding with the UN gathering.
As the situation develops, the international community remains watchful of the unfolding dynamics between Iran and the US, particularly with the UN General Assembly on the horizon, which may serve as a platform for renewed dialogue or further escalation.