‘Will treat any attack as all-out war against us’: Iran warns US

A top Iranian official declared that Iran will view any military attack on its soil as an act of "all-out war". The statement comes as a US aircraft carrier strike group and additional military assets are set to arrive in the Middle East soon.

Speaking anonymously, the official expressed that while Iran hopes the US military movement is not for a "real confrontation", the country's armed forces are prepared for the worst. "Everything is on high alert in Iran," the official said, confirming a heightened state of military readiness.

The official emphasised that any form of attack, regardless of its scale or type—whether "limited, surgical, or kinetic"—would be met with a full-scale response. "We will respond in the hardest way possible," he added.

This development follows recent comments from US President Donald Trump, who mentioned an "armada" was heading toward the region. While expressing hope that military force would not be necessary, he also issued fresh warnings to Iran regarding its nuclear programme and the treatment of protesters.

Reaffirming Iran's position, the official said, "If the Americans violate Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will respond". He, however, did not provide details on what a potential response would involve.

He explained that from Iran's perspective, being under a "constant military threat" from the US requires them to be fully prepared to defend themselves and deter any potential aggression.

It is not uncommon for the US to increase its military presence in the Middle East during periods of high tension, often for defensive purposes. However, a significant build-up also occurred last year before military action was considered, which adds to the current sense of unease in the region.