Iran warns of ‘all‑out war’ as Trump says US armada heading to Middle East

TEHRAN – 24 January 2026: A senior Iranian official has cautioned that any attack on the country would be treated as “an all-out war,” according to Reuters, follows announcements by the US that it is deploying a significant naval presence to the region.

Speaking aboard Air Force One after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said a US “armada” moving toward the Middle East, but said “maybe we won’t have to use it.”

The tension comes amid a reported severe crackdown on Iranian protesters, where activists report that thousands have been killed.

Trump pulled back from attacking Iran earlier this month, despite promising protesters that “help is on its way.”

“We have an armada … heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said.

“We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely,” he added.