Iran says it has a 'new operational plan' if the U.S. resumes attacks, as shipping vessels report strikes

A senior Iranian security official warned Sunday that Tehran has prepared a new response plan for any renewed U.S.-Israeli attack, as maritime authorities reported several separate attacks on commercial vessels around the Arabian Peninsula.

"Iran's armed forces have prepared a response to any new act of adventurism that would be far more devastating than the 12-day and 40-day wars," Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on X, referring to attacks by Israel in June 2025, and the conflict triggered by the U.S. and Israel in February.

"Iran's new operational plan will not follow the rules with which they are familiar," Rezaei said in comments translated by Google.

President Donald Trump said last week that he does not intend to use nuclear weapons against Iran or foresee deploying ground troops in the country.

Speaking in an interview with Newsmax, broadcast Thursday evening, he said: "I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to. We're the greatest nuclear power in the world."

The right-wing cable outlet asked Trump about reports that Washington was considering using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or MOAB, widely known as the "Mother of All Bombs."

Iranian state media agency IRNA quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying that while Iran would not surrender its sovereign rights under pressure, it remains ready for dialogue.

Meanwhile, shipping vessels operating in waters around the Arabian Peninsula reported coming under fire in recent days.

The British Navy-affiliated UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a tug traveling south northeast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by two unknown projectiles on Sunday.

On Saturday, a master of a liquefied natural gas tanker southwest of Yemen reported "being approached by a small skiff with seven persons onboard," UKMTO said. The skiff fired twice, and the tanker's security team responded with two warning shots, it said.

Another tanker northeast of Saudi Arabia reported being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat on Friday.

Crude oil prices rose sharply Friday amid rising tensions in the Middle East, while Ukraine vowed to keep striking Russian refineries.

Brent futures hit a session high of $110 per barrel for the first time since May before easing slightly to settle at $109.86, a 3.7% gain.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 3.5% to settle at $101.41 per barrel. WTI added more than 10% last week while Brent advanced nearly 5%.

Saudi Arabia intercepted several missiles fired over the Red Sea on Friday, including one that was heading toward the oil export terminal Yanbu, a military spokesman said. Three drones were also destroyed in the kingdom's Riyadh and southern regions, the military said.

Iran-allied Houthi militants in Yemen repeatedly fired at Saudi Arabia last week. The kingdom's energy ministry said oil giant Aramco came under attack when militants hit one of its administrative buildings in Dhahran on Tuesday.