Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami underlined Armed Forces' full preparedness to give a strong response to enemies, saying that downing of a US spy drone over Iran's territories proved the country's high capability to defend itself.

The chief commander of Iran’s Army says the Islamic Republic has the power to defend itself and mount “destructive” counterattacks if it ever comes under any aggression, in what seems to be an allusion to threats of military action against the country by the United States.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has denounced Britain’s illegal seizure of an Iranian oil tanker, warning that the act of “piracy” will not go unanswered.

The head of the National Security Commission said that if the European partners to the ‎JCPOA doesn’t fulfill its commitments to the JCPOA within the sixty-day timeframe, Iran will ‎take the third step with power.‎

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors does not have a jurisdiction on Iran's nuclear deal, and further said that the trigger mechanism may not be applied against Iran under the present circumstances.

A prominent Iranian analyst warned that a positive response by Tehran to the US offer of talks would be followed by the US excessive demands and imposition of still more sanctions on Iran.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri described seizure of Iran's oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar by Britain as a move to retaliate against the downing of a US spy drone by the IRGC, warning London of Tehran's reciprocal move.

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Force Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour underlined that Washington's military awe was damaged by the recent downing of a US spy drone by the IRGC over Iran's territorial waters.

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Iran’s elite defense forces, says sanctions placed on the country under the pretext of preventing it from attaining nuclear weapons are just a plea to block its march towards knowledge.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says recent seizure of a tanker carrying Iranian oil by British forces off the coast of Gibraltar is “pure and simple” piracy on behalf of the B-Team.