Iran Issues Stark Warning of All-Out War Response to Any Attack
Iran has issued a severe warning that it will treat any military attack "as an all-out war against us," as the United States deploys significant military assets to the Middle East region. The warning comes amid escalating tensions and a substantial US military buildup that includes an aircraft carrier strike group moving toward the Persian Gulf.
Military Buildup and High Alert Status
A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously to the Times of Israel, stated that while Iran hopes the US military buildup is not intended for actual confrontation, "our military is ready for the worst-case scenario." The official emphasized that everything is on high alert in Iran as the country prepares for potential conflict.
The official declared: "This time we will treat any attack limited, unlimited, surgical, kinetic, whatever they call it, as an all-out war against us, and we will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this."
US Military Deployment in the Region
The Pentagon has been significantly increasing US military presence in the Middle East, including:
- The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three accompanying destroyers
- F-15E Strike Eagles deployed by Central Command
- Typhoon jets sent by the UK Ministry of Defence to Qatar in defensive capacity
The carrier strike group, currently positioned in the Indian Ocean, will join other US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf and Bahrain, bringing approximately 5,700 additional service members to the region. Analysts have noted dozens of US military cargo planes heading toward the area, mirroring last year's rapid deployments following attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
Political Context and Tensions
The warning comes as tensions remain elevated following US-backed Israeli strikes in June aimed at degrading Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. President Donald Trump confirmed the deployment of what he called a "massive fleet" toward Iran, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that Washington is watching Tehran closely.
"We're watching Iran," Trump said. "I'd rather not see anything happen but we're watching them very closely." He indicated that the US fleet is "just in case," leaving open the possibility of military action if Iran escalates.
Domestic Crisis and Protest Crackdown
The warnings emerge against the backdrop of a significant domestic crisis in Iran, where nationwide protests erupted in late December over economic hardship and political repression. According to activist estimates, the government crackdown has resulted in:
- At least 5,032 deaths
- More than 27,600 detentions
These figures are substantially higher than the official toll of 3,117, which includes security forces, civilians, and what Iranian authorities describe as "US-backed rioters."
Iranian Military Leadership Statements
Iranian military officials have framed the domestic unrest as connected to foreign intervention. Guards commander General Mohammad Pakpour warned the US and Israel to avoid "miscalculations" and stated that Iran's forces "have their finger on the trigger, more prepared than ever, ready to carry out the orders and measures of the supreme commander-in-chief."
General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi added that if the US attacks, "all US interests, bases and centres of influence" would become "legitimate targets."
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of exploiting the protests as "cowardly revenge... for the defeat in the 12-Day War," while the Revolutionary Guards maintained their readiness for "the hardest response possible" to any aggression.
Trump warned that "last year's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites would look like peanuts if they proceed with planned executions of some protesters," highlighting the complex interplay between domestic repression and international military tensions.
