‘We will fire back with everything’: Iran issues stark warning as US navy nears

Tehran: A heavy security presence and deadly crackdowns have largely subdued protests across many Iranian cities and towns, according to witnesses and human rights groups. The unrest began weeks ago amid a deepening economic crisis and a rapidly weakening currency before evolving into a broader antigovernment movement challenging Iran’s clerical leadership.

Iran’s foreign minister has warned of “massive retaliation” if the country is attacked, as a US naval force moves closer to the Middle East, heightening fears of a wider regional escalation.

In a strongly worded statement, Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran would “fire back with everything” in response to any US military action. The warning comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group transits towards the region, amid rising tensions following weeks of unrest inside Iran and growing friction with Washington.

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The comments were made as Iran continues to face international scrutiny over a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests triggered by a deepening economic crisis and a rapidly weakening currency. Human rights groups say thousands of people have been killed during the security forces’ response, though the exact toll remains unclear due to a nationwide communications and internet blackout.

Activists estimate that at least 3,090 people have been killed during the crackdown, although independent verification has been difficult due to a nationwide communications and internet blackout. Despite the violence, signs of normalcy have begun returning in parts of the country, particularly in Tehran, where no major protests have been reported for several days.

Human rights organisations have warned that the actual death toll may be significantly higher. The NGO Iran Human Rights has separately verified more than 3,400 fatalities, saying the blackout has made it impossible to fully assess the scale of the repression. Reports also indicate that thousands have been arrested, with rights groups estimating up to 25,000 detentions nationwide.

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Iranian authorities have intensified their response by targeting public figures and businesses accused of supporting the protests. State media have reported arrests in cities such as Isfahan, while the judiciary has filed cases against actors and athletes and shut down dozens of cafés. Police have also issued ultimatums urging protesters to surrender in exchange for leniency.

International concern has continued to mount. The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to convene an urgent session to address what it has described as a deteriorating human rights situation in Iran. The move follows discussions at the UN Security Council amid descriptions of the unrest as the largest antigovernment protests in Iran’s history.

Meanwhile, regional and global tensions have escalated sharply. Iran’s foreign minister has warned of massive retaliation if the country is attacked, as a US naval carrier strike group moves closer to the region. Iranian military officials have also issued threats in response to statements from US President Donald Trump.

Trump has adopted a mixed tone in recent days. While previously warning that executions or the killing of peaceful protesters would cross his red lines for possible US action, including military intervention, he has more recently praised Iran’s leaders for not carrying out mass executions of detained protesters.

Although protests inside Iran have quietened, anger has spilled beyond its borders, with demonstrations by Iranian exiles reported across Europe. Some Iranians have reportedly crossed into neighbouring countries to bypass the communications blackout and contact the outside world, underscoring the ongoing tension despite the apparent calm at home.