United States President Donald Trump warned that if Iran carried out strikes later in the day, Washington would respond with 'a force that has never been seen before.' His remarks came after he said Tehran intended to strike 'very hard,' escalating tensions between the two countries.

In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had 'crossed a red line' and 'will pay for it,' according to state television. He also said Iranian authorities had prepared scenarios for the period after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and pledged that Iran would continue along Khamenei's path.

The exchange of warnings signals a sharp rise in rhetoric between Washington and Tehran as the situation continues to unfold.