Will firmly confront any aggression or threat by America: Iran

Iran will respond firmly to any US threat against it, news agency Reuters reported citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

"We will not allow any violation against Iran's borders. Iran will firmly confront any aggression or threat by America," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told local media.

"Regardless of any decision they (US officials) make, we will not allow the Islamic Republic’s territory to be violated," Mousavi added.

The continuing tension between Washington and Iran intensified on Thursday after an Iranian missile destroyed a US Global Hawk surveillance drone. Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it occurred in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the downing of the unmanned US drone, President Donald Trump said he aborted a military strike as retaliation because it could have killed 150 people. He also signalled that he was open to talks with Tehran.

During an interview with a US channel, Trump said, "I'm not looking for war, and if there is it'll be obliteration like you've never seen before. But I'm not looking to do that."

The incident aggravated fears of a direct military clash between the longtime foes. Oil futures rose more than 1% to above $65 per barrel on Friday over worries about possible disruptions to crude exports from the Gulf. 

Trump's decision in May to tighten sanctions to try to eliminate Iran's oil exports led to the latest tensions. In May 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from a 2015 accord between Iran and major powers under which Tehran curtailed its path to building a nuclear bomb in return for sanctions relief.

(With inputs from agencies)