Tehran: Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated sharply after Tehran warned that any military strike by Washington would be treated as an “all-out war”, a day after US President Donald Trump announced that a large American naval force was moving towards the Middle East amid ongoing unrest in Iran.
The warning was issued by a senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, who said the Islamic Republic would use “everything at its disposal” to respond to what it views as a sustained military threat from the United States. The statement came after Trump said an “armada” of US warships was heading towards Iran, reviving fears of a direct military confrontation between the two long-time adversaries.
Iran issues stark warning to Washington
According to the Iranian official quoted by Reuters, Tehran will not distinguish between different types or scales of military action.
“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,” the official said.
Iranian authorities said the country’s armed forces have been placed on high alert, though details of any potential countermeasures were not disclosed. The official added that Iran’s posture was defensive but uncompromising, given what it perceives as a constant threat from the US.
“A country under constant military threat from the United States has no option but to ensure that everything at its disposal can be used to push back and restore balance against anyone who dares to attack Iran,” he said.
US military buildup raises alarm
The renewed tensions follow Trump’s announcement that a major US naval deployment was underway. According to reports, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, is heading towards the region. The US Air Force has also reportedly deployed around a dozen F-15E fighter jets to bolster its presence.
While US officials have not publicly clarified the mission’s exact objectives, the buildup has fuelled concerns in Tehran that Washington may be preparing for direct military action. Iranian officials said they hoped the deployment was not intended to trigger a confrontation but stressed that Iran was preparing for the “worst-case scenario”.
Protests and violence inside Iran
The escalation comes against the backdrop of widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which have rocked the country since the beginning of the year. Demonstrations against the theocratic regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have been met with a severe crackdown by security forces.
Activist groups claim that more than 5,000 people have been killed during the unrest, though Iranian authorities dispute those figures. The protests, sparked by economic hardship and political grievances, have intensified international scrutiny of Tehran’s human rights record.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Iran’s leadership over the handling of the protests. Last week, however, tensions appeared to ease briefly after the US President suggested he was stepping back from immediate military threats following assurances from Tehran that detained protesters would not face execution.
Trump even claimed that US pressure had stopped Iran from executing more than 800 protesters, a statement that Iranian officials have neither confirmed nor accepted.
War of words intensifies
Despite the brief lull, rhetoric on both sides has since hardened. A spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces warned that the country would “set fire to the world” if any action was taken against the Supreme Leader. Meanwhile, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran had its “finger on the trigger”, signalling readiness to retaliate against both the US and Israel.
Trump, who returned to the United States after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, has maintained a tough stance on Iran, frequently accusing its leadership of destabilising the region and suppressing its own people.
The latest exchange marks another chapter in the volatile US–Iran relationship, which has swung between diplomatic engagement and open hostility over the past decade.
Regional and global implications
Analysts warn that any direct military clash between the US and Iran would have serious consequences for the Middle East and beyond. Iran’s strategic location, control over key shipping routes, and network of regional allies mean that even a limited conflict could quickly spiral into a wider war.
Energy markets are also closely watching developments, as heightened tensions in the Gulf region often lead to volatility in global oil prices, with potential knock-on effects for economies worldwide, including India.
Conclusion
With both sides adopting uncompromising positions, the risk of miscalculation remains high. While diplomatic channels have not been formally shut, the language used by officials in Tehran and Washington suggests a dangerous phase in bilateral relations. Whether the current standoff leads to renewed talks or further escalation will depend largely on actions taken in the coming days, as military forces remain on alert and the region braces for uncertainty.