Iranian commander warns US would face 'lesson-giving battle' if Trump attacks

2026-02-15 - 19:25

Iran's highest-ranking military official issued a stark warning Sunday against potential US military action, asserting that any American attack would become a "lesson-giving battle" for President Donald Trump. Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, described Trump's recent regime change comments as "unworthy of a president" and "reckless." Carriers and Confrontation Mousavi's remarks follow Trump's Friday statement that regime change in Iran "would be the best thing that could happen" and his announcement that the USS Gerald R. Ford—described as the world's largest aircraft carrier—will deploy to the Middle East "very soon." The USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying destroyers are already stationed in the Persian Gulf, dispatched last month amid escalating tensions. Trump indicated the additional carrier is necessary "in case we don't make a deal." Nuclear Talks Resume Amid Threats The military rhetoric coincides with renewed nuclear diplomacy. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, following the Feb. 6 talks in Oman—the first since the Iran-Israel war sidelined diplomacy over eight months ago. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi confirmed the meeting Sunday, stating Washington must demonstrate its commitment: "The ball is in America's court. If they are sincere, I'm sure we will be on the road to an agreement." Türkiye and other regional states have recently intervened to help revive diplomatic channels.