US flexes military muscle as Iran pushes back

Washington announces major war games in ME amid Tehran's warning to neighbours

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN:

The US has announced a major multi-day military exercise in the Middle East, sharply escalating tensions with Iran as Washington and Tehran confront each other after widespread anti-government protests that have rocked Iran since late December.

The exercise, confirmed on Tuesday by the US Air Force component of Central Command, comes a day after the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the region, significantly boosting American military presence and signalling Washington's readiness to project air and naval power if required.

In a statement, US Central Command said the drills would "demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across" the Middle East, underscoring operational preparedness across multiple locations.

US officials declined to disclose the dates or exact venues for the exercise, which coincides with one of the most severe internal crises Iran has faced in decades.

Protests that began in late December over economic grievances rapidly evolved into a nationwide movement challenging the country's leadership, with massive street demonstrations reported for several consecutive days starting January 8.

A US-based rights group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), said on Tuesday it had confirmed the deaths of at least 6,126 people, including 5,777 protesters, 86 minors, 214 members of the security forces and 49 bystanders. The group added it was investigating a further 17,091 possible fatalities, warning that the true toll may be significantly higher.

Iran's response to the unrest has drawn sharp condemnation from Washington. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against killing protesters and openly encouraged Iranians to seize control of state institutions. Earlier this month, he stepped back from ordering military strikes, saying Iranian authorities had halted more than 800 executions following US pressure.

Iran reacted angrily to the arrival of the US carrier strike group, with President Masoud Pezeshkian warning that American "threats" would only destabilise the region. In a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he said US actions were "aimed at disrupting the security of the region and will achieve nothing other than instability."

The rhetoric was echoed by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who issued pointed warnings to neighbouring states hosting US forces. Mohammad Akbarzadeh, political deputy of the IRGC naval forces, said countries whose "soil, sky, or waters" were used against Iran would be considered hostile, according to the Fars news agency.

Despite the confrontational language, Trump has offered mixed signals on his intentions. Speaking to Axios, he boasted of a "big armada next to Iran" but added that Tehran was seeking talks.

Iranian officials have acknowledged an indirect communication channel between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

Media reports suggest the White House is weighing a range of options. The New York Times said Trump has received intelligence assessments indicating the Iranian government's grip on power is weakening, describing the situation as the most fragile since the 1979 revolution. US Senator Lindsey Graham was quoted as saying that "the goal is to end the regime."