Iran asserted on Monday that the threats posed by the United States and Israel represent a clear infringement of international law, emphasizing that they are incapable of inflicting harm on Tehran.

These remarks followed a meeting in Jerusalem between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they reaffirmed their commitment to countering Iran‘s nuclear aspirations and its regional influence.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel has delivered a significant setback to Iran since the onset of the Gaza conflict, expressing confidence that, with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, they would successfully complete their objectives.

In a weekly press briefing on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei countered, stating, “In the case of a nation like Iran, they cannot do anything.” He further remarked, “You cannot issue threats against Iran while simultaneously professing to support dialogue,” as reported by state media.

Trump has indicated a willingness to negotiate with Tehran, yet he has also reinstated the “maximum pressure” strategy aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a policy that was in effect during his first term.

While not explicitly renewing a ban on direct negotiations with Washington that was established in 2018, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticized the previous U.S. administration for failing to uphold its commitments.

In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers and reinstated sanctions that severely impacted Iran’s economy. In response, Iran began to breach the nuclear limitations set by the agreement, increasing uranium enrichment to levels approaching 60% purity, which is close to the 90% required for weapons-grade material. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.

Spokesman Baghaei’s assertive statements contrast sharply with the reality that Tehran’s influence in the region has significantly diminished. Its regional allies, collectively referred to as the “Axis of Resistance,” have either been dismantled or severely weakened since the onset of the Hamas-Israel conflict in Gaza and the downfall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria in December.

This Axis comprises not only Hamas but also Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Shi’ite militia groups in Iraq and Syria. In the 16 months following the outbreak of the Gaza war, Israel has targeted and eliminated key leaders from both Hamas and Hezbollah, while limited confrontations have occurred between Israel and Iran.