Iran Threatens Nuclear Action as US Moves More Carriers to Middle East

Top Iranian officials have threatened the US with nuclear action if the US executes reported plans to strike Iran in the near future. 

Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, recently reportedly warned that Iran “will be forced” to develop nuclear weapons if it suffers attacks from the US and its allies. 

"If the US or Israel bomb Iran under the pretext of Iran's nuclear issue, the Islamic Republic will be forced to move towards producing nuclear bombs,” said Larihani. “Iranian people will pressure us to develop nuclear weapons."

President Donald Trump recently threatened Iran with ‘bombing’ if the latter refuses to negotiate limitations to their nuclear development programs. 

Iran Watch, an organization devoted to exposing Iran’s weapons development programs, recently reported Iran is dangerously close to obtaining nuclear weapons. 

Iran Watch claimed Iran has “accomplished over 90% of the work needed to bring natural uranium to weapon-grade.”

Shortly following President Trump’s announcement, the Department of Defense (DOD) moved its second aircraft carrier group, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, to the Middle East. 

DOD claimed the carrier group’s main task will be to support ongoing military operations against Houthi terrorists in Yemen. 

However, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell underscored that the US would not hesitate to leverage its military assets to counter any noxious Iranian conduct. 

“Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people,” said Spokesman Parnell. 

The Carl Vision Carrier Strike Group’s arrival in the Middle East reportedly parallels that of an allied French carrier strike group including a nuclear-powered attack submarine. 

France has been actively supporting defense efforts against the Houthis via the European Union’s ASPIDES Operation. 

It remains unclear whether the US’ or Europe’s expanded military presence in the Middle East will be used to execute strikes on Iran.