As the US military buildup approaches… Iran warns of all-out war

The strike group of the USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by an air wing of about 80 fighter jets and thousands of troops, is approaching the Middle East amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, while Iran has warned that any attack on it would be considered an all-out war.

The US military move comes to the region, as US President Donald Trump hints at keeping the option of strikes against Iran on the table.

Commenting on the US military buildup, a senior Iranian official said that Tehran would treat any attack as an all-out war against us, adding, “This military buildup, we hope, isn’t aimed at a real confrontation, but our military is prepared for the worst-case scenario… That’s why everything is on high alert in Iran”.

He continued, “This time, we will treat any attack, whether it is limited, comprehensive, a precision strike or a direct military target, whatever the name they call it, as an all-out war against us, and we will respond to it in the strongest possible way to resolve this matter”.

On Thursday, Trump said the United States had a fleet heading toward Iran but hoped it wouldn’t have to use it, and renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or resuming its nuclear program.

The Iranian official warned that “if the Americans violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we will respond”.

“Any country under constant military threat from the United States has no choice but to ensure that all its resources are used to respond and, if possible, to restore balance against anyone who dares to attack Iran,” he added.

The US military has a habit of sending additional troops to the Middle East in times of heightened tensions.

But the US military rallied its forces last year ahead of strikes in June against Iran’s nuclear program.

The arrival of the aircraft carrier group would add about 5,700 US military personnel.

The United States has several bases in the Middle East, including al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts thousands of US troops and is home to the forward command of US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The move of the aircraft carrier comes after the Trump administration moved some of its military resources from the region to the Caribbean Sea, as part of a pressure campaign against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerard Ford, received orders in October to sail from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean with several destroyers.

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which took part in the June strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites, also left the area in October.

The US aircraft carrier is accompanied by three Arleigh Burke-class guided destroyers capable of carrying Tomahawk missiles, and its air wing includes F35C fighters.

The US Central Command also announced that the US Air Force’s F15E Strike Eagle aircraft have a presence in the Middle East, noting that these fighters enhance combat readiness and support regional security and stability.

Similarly, Britain’s Defense Department said on Thursday that it had deployed Typhoon fighters in Qatar as a defensive framework.

Analysts who follow air traffic data have noted that dozens of S military cargo planes are also heading to the Middle East.

This activity is similar to last year, when the United States deployed air defense systems, such as the Patriot system, in anticipation of an Iranian counterattack following the bombing of three major nuclear sites.

Risk consultancy Eurasia Group has estimated the probability of the United States and Israel striking Iran before April 30 at 65%, based on the possibility of diplomatic efforts failing.

Rapidan Energy Group said the probability of a US strike in the coming days or weeks is up to 70%.