Iran warned on Friday that it would treat any attack “as an all-out war against us” and respond with maximum force, as the United States deploys an aircraft carrier strike group and other military assets to the Middle East. A senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the military was on high alert for a “worst-case scenario” amid the buildup. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the US had an “armada” heading toward Iran but hoped military action would not be necessary. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he warned Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program. The pace of protests slowed last week, in part due to a communication blackout imposed by the Iranian government.

Source: Indian Express January 24, 2026 10:24 UTC