Tensions in the Middle East are escalating as Iran warned of a forceful response targeting US bases in the region if any hostile action is taken against it. This announcement coincides with an increasing US military presence in the area and growing concerns about a potential open conflict.
According to an Iranian official, “Any attack on Iran will be considered an act of war, and our response will be based on that premise.” The official added, “We will respond with full force to any aggression, and all US bases in the region will be legitimate targets for us.” They affirmed that Iran is fully prepared and will utilize all its capabilities to confront any aggression.
On the ground, the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has reportedly entered the Indian Ocean, transiting from the South China Sea and heading toward the Arabian Sea. The carrier group includes approximately 5,000 sailors and marines, along with squadrons of fighter jets, helicopters, and electronic attack aircraft. The carrier is expected to join destroyers already stationed in the Gulf.
The US Central Command has also announced the deployment of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets to the region, aimed at bolstering readiness. This logistical activity echoes similar movements last year, when Patriot missile systems were deployed to the region following attacks on key nuclear sites.
Adding to the tensions, reports indicate that the commander of US Central Command, General Brad Cooper, has arrived in Israel for meetings with top security and military officials, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the Air Force commander. The visit is reportedly focused on coordinating potential responses to any possible attack on Iran. The heightened military activity and diplomatic engagements suggest a region on high alert, bracing for potential escalation.
