US, Jan 24 : Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated sharply after President Donald Trump claimed that a large American naval force, including an aircraft carrier strike group, was moving towards the Islamic Republic, prompting a stark warning from Tehran.
Iranian officials said any breach of the country’s airspace or territorial integrity would be treated as a declaration of war. Speaking to Reuters, an unnamed senior official warned that Tehran would respond “in the hardest way possible” to any form of military action, regardless of how it is characterised by Washington.
The official said Iran did not yet know whether the US military buildup was intended as a show of force or a prelude to confrontation, but stressed that the country’s armed forces were prepared for the most extreme scenario. He added that Iran remained on high alert amid the heightened regional tensions.
Trump’s remarks fuel uncertainty
The warning followed comments by Trump to reporters aboard Air Force One, where he said the United States was deploying significant naval assets towards Iran. He described the movement as precautionary, while also expressing hope that the situation would not escalate into open conflict.
Trump’s remarks came at a moment when speculation had been growing that Washington might step back from direct military involvement, despite repeated US warnings over Iran’s handling of anti-government protests.
Unrest continues inside Iran
The standoff is unfolding against the backdrop of sustained demonstrations across Iran, now entering their fourth week. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, thousands of protesters have been killed during a security crackdown since late December, with many more cases still under review.
The agency has also reported widespread injuries and mass arrests, highlighting the scale of the unrest and the pressure facing the Iranian leadership as it confronts both internal dissent and external threats.
Analysts say the combination of domestic instability and rising military posturing has significantly raised the risk of miscalculation, as both sides harden their positions in an already volatile standoff.