Iran appears ready to counter a possible American air strike, having allegedly deployed 1,000 new “strategic drones” throughout its armed forces.
The Iranian state news outlet Tasnim, which has links to the nation’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirmed the military manoeuvre.
Tasnim stated that no photographs are being released in order to safeguard “military secrets.”
The deployment of Iranian military hardware follows President Donald Trump dispatching an “armada” of naval vessels to the Gulf Coast in what analysts characterise as a significant escalation in the area.
Trump announced on Truth Social on Wednesday that the “armada” led by the Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln would deliver a “far worse” strike than Operation Midnight Hammer, the codename for America’s extensive air raids on Iran’s nuclear facilities last June,
He posted: “A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela. Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.Hopefully, Iran will quickly “Come to the Table” and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!
“As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Iranian leadership quickly hit back at the president’s message, declaring:.
“A limited strike is an illusion. Any military action, from America from any origin and at any level, will be considered the start of war, and its response will be immediate, all out, and unprecedented, targeting the heart of Tel Aviv and all supporters of the aggressor,” a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement.
Trump’s warnings of potential military action against Iran appear to have evolved in their emphasis.
The president had previously issued threats in reaction to the killing of demonstrators and detainees, as weeks of violent unrest have shaken Tehran, resulting in at least 6,000 fatalities, with human rights organisations investigating another 17,000 deaths.
He momentarily stepped back from launching airstrikes against Iran, stating that Tehran had pledged not to execute any of the demonstrators.
However, Trump’s attention towards military intervention seems to have been rekindled, with Iran’s atomic programme and ballistic missile manufacturing taking centre stage.
Initial talks between the White House and Tehran concerning these programmes have thus far failed to yield any breakthrough, according to sources familiar with the discussions, CNN reports.