IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said Iran’s retaliation would be many times more forceful and devastating, regardless of the scale of any hostile attack. He noted that Iran’s armed forces were fully prepared, with operational plans carefully drawn up.

The warning comes as US media reports and officials have discussed the possibility of Washington launching a new military campaign against Tehran. On Friday US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said an attack could take place as early as this weekend.