With the United States sharply increasing its military presence near Iranian waters, tensions in the region have escalated further, prompting strong warnings from Tehran. On Monday, Iran said that any military action against it would trigger a “sweeping and regret-inducing response,” signalling that it is prepared to retaliate forcefully if attacked.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the country remains confident in its defensive and retaliatory capabilities, drawing on what he described as lessons from previous confrontations, including the “heroic June battle.” He added that Iran is stronger now than ever before, both militarily and strategically, and would not hesitate to respond if provoked.
These remarks followed the redeployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East from the Indo-Pacific. The carrier, supported by nuclear-powered submarines and F-35 stealth fighter jets, reportedly changed course from the South China Sea roughly a week ago and is now moving closer to the region surrounding Iran.
The Abraham Lincoln strike group also includes several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, weapons capable of striking deep inside Iranian territory from offshore positions. Analysts say this significantly enhances Washington’s ability to launch rapid and long-range attacks if required.
Since early January, the United States has steadily moved major military assets into the Middle East, edging closer to Iranian waters. This buildup has reportedly unsettled Iran’s political leadership, coming at a time when the country has been reeling from mass protests driven by soaring inflation and a rapidly weakening currency. Those protests have been deadly, with at least 5,000 people reportedly killed.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, around 17,000 additional deaths remain under investigation. As internet access across Iran is gradually restored, more information is emerging about the scale of violence, particularly during the widespread internet blackout that followed protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in December.
Multiple media reports have confirmed that the US has reinforced its Central Command by redeploying 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft, and C-130 transport planes to air bases in Jordan. These moves are seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen operational readiness in the region.
Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying F-35C and F/A-18 fighter jets, has reportedly transited the Strait of Malacca and is expected to operate in or near the Arabian Sea or the Persian Gulf. For security reasons, its transponder has reportedly been switched off, making its precise movements harder to track.
The American buildup also includes the deployment of additional missile defence systems. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot missile batteries have been positioned across Israel, Qatar and Jordan to bolster regional air defence and protect key military and civilian infrastructure.
The Wall Street Journal reported that these layered deployments collectively give Washington the capability to carry out swift and wide-ranging strikes against Iran, while also defending US forces and allies against potential Iranian retaliation.
US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged the military mobilisation, saying a “big flotilla” was heading toward Iran. While he said he would prefer to avoid conflict, he emphasised that Iran was being closely monitored and warned that Washington was prepared for any contingency.
Speaking earlier at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said he hoped military action would not be necessary and claimed that US pressure had led Tehran to suspend the planned execution of hundreds of protesters. Previous reports, including by CNN, suggested Trump had earlier pulled back from military action after receiving assurances from Iran on the issue.
Despite these statements, tensions remain extremely high. Trump has said that any direct assassination threats from Iran would be met with overwhelming force and reiterated that military options remain firmly on the table.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has been urging his advisers to consider a “decisive” strike. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi warned, in an opinion piece, that Iran would respond powerfully to any renewed attack. At the same time, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Israel’s defence establishment is on heightened alert, with officials increasingly viewing a US strike on Iran as a realistic and imminent possibility.
