According to an Iran International English report of Monday 26 of January 2026, a senior Iranian military official has said that the United States (US) lacks the ability to carry out a surprise or decisive strike against the Islamic Republic, amid a growing American military presence in the region.

The unnamed official, speaking from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which oversees Iran’s armed forces, made the remarks as a US aircraft carrier, accompanying warships and fighter aircraft were reported to be arriving in nearby waters.

The comments come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, with US media reporting that President Donald Trump is considering military options against Iran following its crackdown on domestic protests. Trump has reportedly favoured overwhelming and decisive military action when confronting adversaries.

Responding to such reports, the Iranian official dismissed the feasibility of any limited or rapid military operation against the country. “The notion of carrying out a so-called limited, rapid and clean operation against Iran stems from incorrect assessments and an incomplete understanding of the defensive and offensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic,” he said.

He warned that any attempt to tightly manage or contain a conflict would fail almost immediately. “Any scenario designed on the basis of surprise or controlling the scope of conflict will slip out of the control of its planners at the very early stages,” the official added.

Addressing the increased US naval and air deployments, the official said Iran maintains full situational awareness in surrounding waters. “The maritime environment surrounding Iran is an indigenous and well-known environment and is fully under the oversight of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic,” he continued.

He argued that the buildup of foreign forces does not enhance deterrence but instead exposes vulnerabilities. “The concentration and accumulation of extra-regional forces and equipment in such an environment is not a deterrent factor but rather increases vulnerability and turns them into accessible targets.”

The official stressed that Iran’s armed forces continuously monitor potential threats, well before any military action is launched. “Any threat against Iran’s national security is being closely monitored, and appropriate decisions will be taken at the proper time,” he said.

He further elaborated on Iran’s intelligence and surveillance posture, noting that monitoring does not begin only when hostilities are imminent. “The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran do not monitor enemy movements solely at the stage of action. Rather, the formation and early signs of any threat against the country’s national security are carefully monitored, and based on field assessments, appropriate decisions will be taken at the proper time,” he added.

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