By Micah Jonah, January 21, 2026
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States that Tehran will respond with full force if attacked, following renewed threats from President Donald Trump.
In an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, Araghchi described any confrontation as “ferocious,” cautioning that it would drag on far longer than the timelines Israel and its allies project and could impact the wider region and global populations.
The warning comes after Trump repeated his threat that Iran would be wiped “off the face of this earth” if it attempted to harm him. Iranian General Abolfazl Shekarchi also stated that Tehran would retaliate decisively if its leadership were threatened.
Tensions remain high as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier moved through the Strait of Malacca, positioning it days away from the Middle East. Iran has already shut its airspace in apparent anticipation of a US strike.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to face the aftermath of nationwide protests, with human rights groups reporting over 4,500 deaths and tens of thousands arrested. Iranian authorities blame foreign powers, including the US and Israel, for stirring unrest.
