# State Department Warns Iran 'There Will Be Consequences' as G20 Foreign Ministers Meet in Atlanta, and Allies Are Reportedly Told to Prepare for Possible Strikes After the Election

Principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott says the U.S. will not accept tolls on an international waterway. No final decision on renewed strikes has been made, per AP.

- Section: [World](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/world/)
- Published: 2026-10-31
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/state-department-pigott-iran-consequences-g20-foreign-ministers-atlanta-rubio-hormuz-tolls-post-election-strikes-fox-news/

The Trump administration is warning Tehran of consequences while diplomats from the world's largest economies meet in Georgia, Fox News Digital reports.

The warning. State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox on Friday, "The Iranian regime has had a choice... to either pursue the path towards normalcy, towards prosperity for their people, the path towards diplomacy. Or they can continue their malign activities, but there will be consequences for that, and we've seen the president taking concrete action."

The reports. Pigott was responding to reports that U.S. officials have told regional partners to prepare for heightened U.S. military action after Tuesday's elections, and for possible Iranian retaliation. The Associated Press, citing two briefed diplomats, says President Trump has not made a final decision on renewed strikes, but diplomats and defense officials have privately urged several Middle Eastern countries to prepare.

The threat to Americans. Fox cites Scripps News on an unclassified memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It says the U.S. received intelligence that Iran had "substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," and that lethal plots had reached "advanced stages" in the Middle East and elsewhere. Asked whether this was shared with G20 counterparts, Pigott declined to discuss intelligence but said the U.S. would work with partners so "any transnational threat has the appropriate transnational response."

The meeting. G20 foreign ministers gathered in Atlanta ahead of the leaders' meeting in December. Rubio opened the two-day session Friday by warning of "interconnected economic and geopolitical crises" that threaten energy and food supplies, trade, supply chains and freedom of navigation.

The strait. Since the war, Iran has asserted greater authority over the Strait of Hormuz and insisted on fees for services such as navigation and environmental protection. Pigott said "there cannot be a situation where a country decides that they can control an international waterway and charge tolls over that waterway."

Note for readers: the post-election strike preparations are reported through unnamed diplomats, and the administration has not confirmed a decision. Pigott declined to discuss the intelligence.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-admin-threatens-iran-consequences-allies-convene-amid-threats-post-election-escalation)