Iran has declared it will interpret any form of military strike as a declaration of total war, according to a high-ranking official speaking anonymously on Friday. The warning comes amid escalating tensions as a US aircraft carrier strike group approaches the Middle East region.
The senior Iranian official emphasized that the nation’s military remains on maximum alert, prepared for worst-case scenarios despite hopes that the American naval buildup isn’t intended for actual combat operations. “This time we will treat any attack—whether limited, unlimited, surgical, kinetic, or whatever terminology they employ—as comprehensive warfare against our sovereignty,” the official stated. “We will counter with the most severe measures available to resolve this confrontation.”
The heightened rhetoric follows US President Donald Trump’s Thursday remarks about an American “armada” en route to the region, coupled with renewed warnings against Tehran regarding protest suppression and nuclear program advancement. The Iranian official maintained that any violation of Iran’s territorial integrity would prompt immediate retaliation, though specific response mechanisms remained unspecified.
Historical context reveals the US military has previously augmented Middle Eastern presence during tense periods, typically for defensive purposes. However, last year’s significant force accumulation preceded June strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, indicating potential offensive capabilities.
The anonymous official concluded that nations facing persistent military threats must utilize all available resources to deter aggression and reestablish strategic equilibrium against potential attackers.