Senior Iranian Official: US Attack Will Face 'Hardest' Response
Iran threatens all-out war against any US attack as the carrier nears.
Tensions between the United States and Iran flared again on Friday after US President Donald Trump announced that an American aircraft carrier strike group, along with other naval assets, is heading toward the Middle East, specifically near Iran. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Thursday, Trump described the movement as a massive “armada” but stressed he hoped it would not need to be used, issuing renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear programme.
Trump said, “We’re watching Iran… we have a lot of ships going in that direction just in case… we have a big force going towards Iran… I’d rather not see anything happening.” He also referenced the “cancelled” executions in Iran amid growing international scrutiny.
In response, a senior Iranian official warned that any attack by the US would be treated as “an all-out war”. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official told Reuters that Iran’s military is fully prepared for the worst-case scenario and that any strike—whether limited, surgical, or otherwise—would be met with the “hardest possible response.” Iranian forces have reportedly been placed on high alert.
Also Read: Tensions Rise as Trump Warns Action While Iran Seeks Talks Amid Protests
The announcement comes as anti-government protests in Iran, which erupted in late December, have reportedly slowed. Official estimates place the death toll from the crackdown at 5,032, though activists suggest the real number could be higher. The government had also imposed a communication blackout during the unrest.
Analysts note that the US military buildup gives Trump the option to carry out strikes, though he has not done so despite multiple warnings. The Soufan Center in New York suggested that while Trump may have backtracked under pressure from regional leaders and concerns over the effectiveness of airstrikes alone, the continued deployment of military assets indicates that kinetic action remains a possibility.
Key triggers for US intervention reportedly include the mass execution of prisoners and the killing of peaceful demonstrators—developments that have drawn widespread international condemnation.
Also Read: US Ambassador Warns Iran at UN Security Council: "All Options Are on the Table" Over Crackdown
