Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned on August 1 that the United States will pay for attacks that have killed civilians, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking before lawmakers, Ghalibaf said: "The United States will definitely pay the price for killing civilians in the region. Washington's actions cannot escape consequences."
The statement came after U.S. forces carried out a series of airstrikes on positions allegedly linked to Iranian forces in several Middle Eastern countries, causing civilian casualties and prompting a strong reaction from Tehran.
The Iranian official also stressed that the country has the right to self-defense under international law, while calling on the international community to condemn U.S. military actions that threaten regional stability.
This is one of the strongest statements by Iranian officials regarding Washington's military operations since the new conflict erupted in the Middle East.
