Iran says it is "more prepared than ever" to respond to any US attack amid rising tensions

2026-01-26 - 11:08

Iran declared itself on high readiness to counter any American military action, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stating the country is "more prepared than ever" due to its indigenous capabilities and past experiences. The warning came during a weekly press conference in Tehran, as U.S. naval assets, including an aircraft carrier group, are reportedly moving toward the Persian Gulf amid a sharp escalation in rhetoric. A "Hybrid War" and Regional Warnings Baghaei described the current confrontation as a "hybrid war," referencing both a brief conflict in June and recent domestic protests that Iranian authorities blame on the U.S. and Israel. He urged neighboring countries to take a clear stance against U.S. threats, arguing that regional instability "will not be limited to Iran alone." The spokesman also criticized what he called the "completely deceitful and hypocritical" U.S. stance on human rights, pointing to domestic American incidents. Tracing the Escalation Tensions have intensified following widespread protests in Iran that resulted in significant casualties. U.S. President Donald Trump previously warned the Iranian government against using lethal force on protesters and later stated an "armada" was heading to the region. Baghaei condemned the public sharing of private diplomatic messages, such as those between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron discussing Iran, as irresponsible. Solidarity with Strategic Partners When questioned on Iran's international alliances, Baghaei emphasized that defense cooperation with strategic partners China and Russia remains robust and is governed by long-term agreements. He also condemned recent moves at the UN Human Rights Council and the European Parliament's push to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, vowing a strong response to what he labeled an illegal act.