Iran warns any attack would be treated as ‘all-out war’ as U.S. boosts military presence

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 amid rising tensions.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Iran’s armed forces are 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 comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said an American “armada” was heading to the Middle East, citing concerns over instability in Iran. Washington says the deployment includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, guided-missile destroyers and additional air defence systems.

Trump said the U.S. was monitoring Iran closely but stressed he would prefer to avoid military confrontation. “We’re watching them very closely,” he said earlier this week.

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 have said diplomatic channels remain open, though neither side has outlined concrete steps toward de-escalation.

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