The tension between Iran and America has once again reached a very dangerous point. Just a day after US President Donald Trump said that a “major military force” of America was moving towards the Middle East with warships, Tehran has given an open warning.
A senior Iranian official has said that if the US launches any kind of attack on Tehran – whether limited or surgical – then Iran will directly consider it a “total war against us” and will give the harshest response.
‘Any attack will be considered as all-out war’
Speaking to Reuters, an Iranian official bluntly said, ‘This time, we will consider any kind of attack – whether limited, unlimited, surgical or kinetic – as a total war against us and will give the harshest response to it.’ He made it clear that amid continuous military pressure and threats from America, Iran is ready to use every resource at its disposal.
Trump’s announcement and American ‘Armada’
This strong statement has come at a time when Donald Trump said that an “armada” of American warships is being sent towards Iran. This statement came at a time when, just a few days ago, Trump was seen backing down from threats of military action against Iran. Anti-government protests have become violent in Iran since the beginning of the new year. According to activists, more than 5,000 people have died so far in these demonstrations.
American warships and fighter planes deployed
According to the New York Times report, the American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, three destroyers equipped with Tomahawk missiles and a dozen F-15E fighter planes of the US Air Force have been sent to the Middle East, making the situation more tense.
Iran on high alert
The Iranian official said that the entire country is on high alert, although he did not say what kind of possible retaliatory action could be taken. He said that ‘regarding this military gathering, we hope that its purpose will not be a real conflict. But our army is fully prepared for the worst situation. This is why there is high alert at every level in Iran.
‘Will use every resource’
The Iranian official further said that ‘any country facing constant military threat from America has no option but to use every resource at its disposal, so that the balance can be restored by giving a befitting reply to any party that dares to attack Iran.’ He said that due to America’s continuous military threats, Iran has to be prepared at every level.
The tension had reduced a few days ago
It is noteworthy that last week the tension between America and Iran seemed to be reducing somewhat. Trump then backed off from military threats and said that the step was taken after receiving assurance from Tehran that the detained protesters would not be hanged. Trump had claimed that due to his warnings, Iran stopped the execution of more than 800 protesters.
Strong warning from IRGC and army
Iran is also not behind in recent rhetoric. A spokesman for the Iranian armed forces warned that if any action was taken against the supreme leader they would “set the world on fire”. At the same time, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned America and Israel and said that his army’s “finger is on the trigger”. The situation was expected to calm down after Trump’s visit to Davos, but now once again military deployment and sharp statements have indicated that the Middle East may be moving towards a new major conflict.
At least 3,117 people have died so far in violence during anti-government protests in Iran, including 2,427 civilians and security forces, while 690 have been described as “terrorists”. This figure was released by Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday. However, human rights organizations and activists say the actual death toll could be much higher. According to activists, at least 5,002 people have died due to the repression on protests across the country. The flow of information is limited due to internet blackouts and media controls. Meanwhile, the group of warships being sent to the Middle East by US President Donald Trump was called “Armada”, which has increased the fear of military conflict.
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