Kremlin denies report on offer to cut Iran intelligence ties

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday there was no assessment that Iran was targeting mainland Britain.

“We carry out assessments all the time… and there’s no assessment that we’re being targeted in that way,” Starmer told reporters.

He also said efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would require a clear plan, adding his priority was to protect British interests and de-escalate the conflict.

A senior cleric in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Monday that new actions were forthcoming, warning enemies to expect unprecedented developments, according to state media.

“The enemy should know that new surprises are on the way… things they have neither seen nor heard,” Abdollah Haji Sadeghi said.

He added that Iran would not surrender, saying adversaries would “take the wish of the Islamic Republic’s surrender to the grave.”

“We have been raised in a school that sees surrender as humiliation,” he said, adding that “final victory” would belong to what he called the Islamic front.

A former Iranian lawmaker said US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour threat over the Strait of Hormuz may be aimed at seizing key Iranian islands, including Kharg Island.

Ali Motahari said the warning could be “a kind of deception” to justify action against strategic locations.

“Trump’s threat may be a kind of deception for the occupation of Kharg Island and the three islands,” he said, according to state media.

He warned that any such move would be costly, adding: “If they are occupied, the enemy will suffer heavy casualties.”

Trump has said the United States would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, while US officials are also weighing options related to Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, according to Axios.

Several safe houses in Tehran were targeted in attacks early on Monday, Iran International has learned.

The strikes hit sites in different parts of the capital, including Aghdasieh, Majidiyeh and Chizar.

It was not immediately clear who had been staying in the buildings at the time of the attacks.

An attack on Iran’s southern coasts or islands would lead to maritime routes being cut across the Persian Gulf through the laying of sea mines, the country’s Defense Council said on Monday, after US President Donald Trump threatened strikes if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

“Any attempt to attack Iran’s coasts or islands will cause all access routes… to be mined,” the statement said, adding the Persian Gulf could be placed in a situation “similar to the Strait of Hormuz” for a prolonged period.

The council also warned of “decisive and destructive” retaliation against attacks on Iran’s energy and nuclear infrastructure, referring to recent strikes including on South Pars.

“The only way for non-hostile countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz is coordination with Iran,” it said.

Trump has said the United States would “hit and obliterate” Iranian power infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the waterway within 48 hours.

The United States is considering options targeting Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, including possible seizure or blockade if shipping disruptions continue, according to Axios.