Afghanistan, Sept. 7 -- Iran has pledged to intensify efforts to counter the economic impact of U.S. sanctions while warning Washington that any new military strike would trigger a "more painful" response, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate despite renewed diplomatic contacts.
Iranian officials issued the warning after weeks of renewed exchanges between U.S. and Iranian forces, with both sides accusing each other of carrying out attacks targeting military assets and strategic infrastructure in and around the Persian Gulf.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliamentary speaker, said the United States should understand that "the rules of the game have changed," warning that any attack on Iran's security or interests ...