Iran has warned that any hostile move against it will be met with a broad response targeting American military bases across the region, as the United States continues to build up its military presence in the Middle East amid growing fears of an open confrontation.
An Iranian official told Al Jazeera on Friday that “any attack on Iran would be considered an act of war, and Iran would respond on that basis”, adding that “we will respond with full force to any aggression, and all American bases in the region will be legitimate targets”.
The official stressed that Iran is “at full readiness and will use all its capabilities to confront any aggression”.
Lincoln Movements and Destroyers
On the operational front, the Associated Press quoted a US Navy official as saying that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by three destroyers, had arrived in the Indian Ocean after transiting from the South China Sea and was heading toward the Arabian Sea.
The official added that the carrier strike group would join destroyers already stationed in the Gulf.
According to CBS, the carrier group includes around 5,000 sailors and marines, along with squadrons of jet fighters, helicopters, and electronic warfare aircraft.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that “a large number of ships” were moving toward the Middle East in preparation for any emergency, stating that Washington was closely monitoring developments in Iran.
US Central Command also announced the deployment of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets to the region to enhance readiness.
This logistical activity mirrors movements seen last year, when Patriot missile defence systems were transferred to the region following the bombing of three major nuclear sites.
Attack Coordination in Tel Aviv
In a new development, Israeli media reported that the commander of US Central Command, General Brad Cooper, arrived in Israel to hold meetings with senior security and military officials, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the air force commander.
Haaretz quoted sources as saying that the visit aimed to coordinate preparations for a potential strike on Iran.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the visit comes amid rising Israeli concerns that Iran may carry out a pre emptive attack.
Aviation on Alert
The escalating tension has prompted major international airlines to alter their flight routes. KLM and Lufthansa announced that they would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
Finnair and Wizz Air also rerouted flights bound for Dubai and Abu Dhabi to pass over Saudi Arabia, in line with recommendations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to steer clear of potential conflict zones.
Pressure from the United States and its ally Israel on Tehran has intensified since popular protests erupted in Iran in late December, driven by deteriorating economic and living conditions.
In response, Tehran has accused Washington of seeking, through sanctions, pressure, incitement of unrest, and the spread of chaos, to fabricate a pretext for military intervention and regime change.
