Iranian Ambassador to China Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli speaks at a press briefing on January 7, 2026 at the embassy in Beijing. Photo: Zhang Han/GT

Iran is prepared to take any measures to deal with any actions that infringe on its territory and sovereignty, Iranian Ambassador to China Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told the Global Times on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump recently said that the US could "hit very hard" on Iran, to which Fazli responded that Iran has made multiple plans and once it is attacked, Iran will take necessary defensive and assaultive actions. 

Protests over economic issues have erupted in multiple places in Iran, with some evolving into riots. Trump warned to intervene in Iran's riots, saying the US is "ready to go," according to BBC. Trump on Sunday warned again that Iran will get hit very hard by the US, per CNN.  

At the press briefing on Wednesday in Beijing, ambassador Fazli, when addressing a relevant question from the Global Times, said that remarks of the US run counter to the principles of the UN Charter and constitute a threat to the sovereignty of an independent state. 

If such acts of interference become the norm, the international community will be plunged into a chaotic state where any country may claim the right to meddle in the internal affairs of others, Fazli said.

"Iran stands ready to launch a firm counterstrike against any act that infringes upon our nation's independence and territorial integrity," Fazli said, warning that Iran is not Venezuela, nor is the Middle East the same as Latin America. 

Iran wields more unique influence and maintains an intricate network of ties both regionally and internationally. Should any party take actions against Iran similar to those taken against Venezuela, the subsequent spillover of the crisis will likely spin far beyond the control of all relevant parties, said the ambassador.

When asked about the recent domestic unrest and how to safeguard the security of Chinese investments in Iran, Fazli stated that Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China, and will provide all necessary safeguards to Chinese enterprises and merchants investing in the country, as well as protect their personal and property safety.