Iran vows any attack will be treated as “all-out war against us,”
Iran has issued one of its strongest warnings yet to the United States, saying that any form of attack on the country would be treated as an “all-out war” and met with the harshest possible response. The warning comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, as a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and additional military assets are expected to arrive in the region in the coming days.
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, a senior Iranian official said Tehran is on high alert and closely watching the growing U.S. military presence. While expressing hope that the buildup is not meant to trigger a direct confrontation, the official made it clear that Iran is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
The official stressed that Iran will no longer distinguish between different types or scales of military action. “And we will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this.” The remarks reflect growing concern in Tehran that even a narrowly targeted strike could spiral into a wider conflict.
The comments come a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States had an “armada” heading toward Iran, while adding that he hoped force would not be necessary. Mr. Trump also renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or reviving its nuclear weapons programme, signaling continued pressure on the Iranian leadership from Washington.
In response, the Iranian official warned that any violation of the country’s sovereignty would trigger retaliation. “If the Americans violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will respond,” he said, declining to provide details on what such a response might involve. Analysts note that Iran’s response options range from direct military action to asymmetric measures involving allied groups across the region.
The official framed Iran’s posture as defensive, arguing that years of pressure and threats from Washington have left Tehran with little choice but to remain fully prepared. “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, if possible, restore balance against anyone who dares to attack Iran,” he said.
The United States has repeatedly deployed additional forces to the Middle East during periods of heightened tension, often describing such moves as defensive or deterrent in nature. However, memories remain fresh in Tehran of last year’s major U.S. military buildup ahead of June strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, an episode that sharply escalated hostilities between the two sides.
Regional observers warn that the current standoff is particularly volatile, with miscalculations on either side carrying the risk of rapid escalation. Diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran remain limited, increasing the danger that military signaling could be misread.
For now, both sides appear to be issuing warnings rather than taking direct action. Yet the language used by Iranian officials suggests that patience is thin and red lines are firmly drawn. As U.S. forces move closer to the region, the coming days will be closely watched for signs of whether tensions cool — or edge closer to open conflict.