**Iran** will treat any attack as “total war,” warned a senior Iranian official, responding to Donald Trump’s statements about deploying an American “fleet” to the region. According to the **US** president, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and destroyers equipped with guided missiles are heading toward the Middle East.
**Read: Trump sends message of strength to Iran – Large fleet heading to Persian Gulf (Video)**
Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during his return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, stated that “perhaps military force won’t be necessary,” while emphasizing that the United States is “closely monitoring Iran.”
The United Kingdom announced it will send RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the 12th Squadron to Qatar, following a request from Doha.
‼️🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇱🇮🇷 Unusual military activity detected
A sharp increase in U.S. and British military aircraft movements toward the Middle East has been recorded over the past 36 hours.
Former President Trump commented:
🗣️ “We have a huge fleet heading this way…”All eyes on the skies.… pic.twitter.com/4Reir5wHIw
— WAR (@warsurveillance) January 23, 2026
“The military buildup – we hope it’s not intended for actual confrontation, but our military is ready for the worst-case scenario and everyone is on high alert in Iran,” said an Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, according to AFP.
Additional air defense systems are being deployed, likely around US and Israeli air bases. The United Kingdom is sending RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the 12th Squadron to Qatar, following a request from Doha.
🚨🇺🇸🇮🇷 BREAKING: JD Vance on the US buildup in the Middle East
We just want to make sure that we have options. We have a lot of forces in the region.
If, God forbid, the Iranians did something very stupid, that we had the resources necessary to respond, Vance said. pic.twitter.com/62PxWB8ZnO
— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) January 23, 2026
Israel announced it has completed preparations for a potential US strike on Iran, while Israeli media report that American President Donald Trump is considering a preemptive strike.
The Commander of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, is expected to arrive in Israel on Saturday for urgent consultations, reports public broadcaster Kan.
Earlier, Channel 12 reported that White House advisor Jared Kushner and US special envoy Steve Witkoff are traveling to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hakan Fidan: Israel seeks opportunity to strike Iran
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated there are indications that Israel is seeking an opportunity to attack Iran, warning that such a move could further destabilize the region. “I hope they find a different path, but the reality is that Israel is looking for an opportunity to strike Iran,” Fidan said in a television interview.
According to international media, Donald Trump’s statements come after threats from the Revolutionary Guards that the United States would suffer a painful fate if it attacks the Islamic Republic, assuring that forces constantly have their finger on the trigger.
Flight cancellations to Middle East
Airlines, mainly European, are already canceling flights to the Middle East. French airline Air France joined Dutch carrier KLM, canceling flights to Israel for the entire weekend due to heightened tensions and security concerns in the region.
Activists report a death toll of 5,000 from the suppression of protests, which according to social media posts, continue in Iran.
🚨🇮🇷 Some Iranians have managed to get online in the past few hours after 2 weeks of internet shutdown. They are now uploading videos on X.
First video shows protesters set fire to a statue of IRGC General Qasem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/numNpEsqvA— Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) January 23, 2026
The United States meanwhile imposed sanctions on nine ships of the so-called “shadow fleet” and eight related companies, according to a statement from the US Treasury Department, as Washington seeks to escalate pressure on Iran.
