Iran warns of 'all-out war' as U.S. buildup disrupts flights

Iran will treat any military attack as an “all-out war,” a senior Iranian official said on Friday, as the United States moves additional naval and air assets into the Middle East during rising tensions that are already disrupting civilian air travel.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Iran’s armed forces were on high alert ahead of the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and other military reinforcements in the region.

“This military buildup, we hope it is not intended for real confrontation, but our military is ready for the worst-case scenario,” the official said.

“Any attack, limited or otherwise, will be treated as an all-out war against us, and we will respond in the hardest way possible.”

The warning followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that an American “armada” was heading to the Middle East, citing concerns over instability in Iran.

“We’re watching them very closely,” Trump said earlier this week, adding that he would prefer to avoid a military confrontation.

The escalating standoff has begun to affect civilian aviation, with airlines rerouting and cancelling some flights across the Middle East. Europe’s aviation regulator has advised carriers to avoid Iranian airspace, citing heightened security risks amid regional tensions.

Several airlines have already adjusted operations. “As a precaution, given the geopolitical situation, we will not fly through the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel,” a KLM spokesperson said in January.

Lufthansa said it was bypassing Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice,” while British Airways said it was keeping the situation “under close review.”

Tensions have intensified as Iran faces its deadliest unrest in decades, with rights groups reporting more than 5,000 deaths during a sweeping crackdown on protests that erupted in late December following a sharp economic downturn.

U.S. officials say the military buildup is defensive, while Iranian authorities argue the pressure campaign, including sanctions and force posture, risks provoking escalation rather than encouraging diplomacy.

Iranian military commanders have previously warned that any strike on Iranian territory would make U.S. bases across the region “legitimate targets,” raising concerns among regional allies about a broader conflict.

Despite the rhetoric, both Washington and Tehran say diplomatic channels remain open, though neither side has outlined concrete steps towards de-escalation.

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