"Any military action by the US, regardless of its origin or scale, will be considered an act of war. The response will be immediate, comprehensive, and unprecedented, targeting the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggressor", Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, announced on 28/1.

Tel Aviv, located in central Israel, serves as the country's economic and technological hub. Israel is a close ally of the US, having received substantial support in its conflict with Iran in 6/2025.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on the same day that Iranian forces had "fingers on the trigger" to prepare a strong response to any attack. However, he also mentioned the possibility of reaching a nuclear agreement to de-escalate tensions.

Ali Shamkhani at a meeting in Tehran, Iran in 2018. *AFP*.

"Iran always welcomes a fair, adequate, and mutually beneficial nuclear agreement, established on a basis of equality, not coercion or threat, ensuring Iran's right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and guaranteeing no atomic weapons", he stated.

Iran's Foreign Minister affirmed that nuclear weapons "have no place in Tehran's calculations, and we have never sought to possess them", reiterating Tehran's long-standing position that its nuclear program focuses solely on research and development for civilian energy.

These statements followed President Donald Trump's warning that "time is running out" for Iran to avoid conflict with the US, though he did not rule out the possibility of a new nuclear agreement.

"Hopefully, Iran will quickly come to the negotiating table to bargain for a fair and adequate agreement, without nuclear weapons, and beneficial to all parties", Trump said, noting that a "massive fleet" led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was heading towards the country.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran recently escalated due to a wave of anti-government protests that erupted in Iran from late 12/2025, driven by merchants dissatisfied with the economic situation and the depreciating rial. The protests initially were peaceful before escalating into deadly violence.

Location of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. *IEJ Media*.

President Trump repeatedly mentioned the possibility of supporting protestors, including not ruling out airstrikes on Iran. However, Washington's allies warned Trump about the lasting consequences of such an attack, leading the US leader to halt military action at the last minute. Iran later announced the protests had ended, with more than 3,000 fatalities.

Nevertheless, the US continued to deploy assets near Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM), the agency responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, announced on 26/1 that the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had begun its mission in the region.

By Pham Giang (via AFP)