Iran will treat any attack as 'all-out war against us'

Michelle Nichols
Reuters
US threats against Iran have led to protests in several countries in the region. (EPA PHOTO)
US threats against Iran have led to protests in several countries in the region. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP

Iran will treat any attack “as an all-out war against us,” a senior ‍Iranian official has said, ahead of the arrival of a US military aircraft carrier strike group and other assets in the Middle East in the ⁠coming days.

“This military buildup - we hope it is not intended for real confrontation - but our military is ready for the worst-case scenario. This is why everything is on high alert in Iran,” said the senior Iranian official on Friday, speaking on ‌condition of anonymity.

“This time we will treat any attack - limited, unlimited, surgical, kinetic, whatever they ‍call it - as an all-out war against us, and we will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this,” the official said.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States had an “armada” heading toward Iran but hoped he would not have to use ‌it, as he renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program.

“If the Americans violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will respond,” said the ‍Iranian official. He declined to specify what an Iranian response might look like.

“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,” the official said.

The US military has in the past periodically sent increased forces to the Middle East at times of heightened tensions, moves that were often defensive.

However, the US military staged a major buildup in 2025 ahead of ‍its June strikes against Iran’s nuclear program.

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