By Spy Uganda
The head of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to the United States, saying the force is on heightened alert as American warships move closer to the Middle East amid escalating tensions and ongoing unrest inside Iran.
Speaking on Saturday, IRGC Commander Gen. Mohammad Pakpour said the paramilitary force was “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” underscoring Iran’s readiness to respond to any perceived threat. His remarks were reported by The Associated Press, citing Nournews, an outlet linked to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard and dear Iran stand more ready than ever, finger on the trigger, to execute the orders and directives of the Commander-in-Chief,” Pakpour said. He also warned the United States and Israel “to avoid any miscalculation,” as regional tensions continue to rise.
The warning comes as the United States deploys additional naval assets to the region. A U.S. Navy official confirmed that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by other warships, is currently operating in the Indian Ocean. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the fleet was moving toward Iran “just in case” action becomes necessary.
“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Tensions have been building for weeks amid widespread anti-government protests across Iran, sparked by economic hardship and deepening international isolation. The demonstrations, which began on December 28, have been met with a violent crackdown by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, according to rights groups.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both publicly voiced support for Iranian protesters. Netanyahu said Israel was “closely monitoring” the situation and expressed hope that a future Iran, free from what he called “the yoke of tyranny,” could become a partner for peace.
Iranian officials, however, have accused the U.S. and Israel of fueling internal unrest. Last week, an Iranian ambassador claimed both countries were responsible for “political destabilization, internal unrest and chaos.” Tehran has also warned Washington against any action targeting Iran’s leadership.
On Tuesday, Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, issued a direct warning to Trump following rhetoric aimed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Trump knows that if any hand of aggression is extended toward our leader, we not only cut that hand, but also we will set fire to their world,” Shekarchi said, according to the AP.
The human toll of the unrest remains heavily contested. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on Friday that at least 5,137 people have been killed, with more than 7,400 seriously injured and nearly 28,000 arrested. Iran’s government, however, has provided lower figures, saying earlier this week that 3,117 people had died, including civilians and security personnel, while labeling others as “terrorists.”
Trump has continued to apply pressure on Tehran through public statements. In a January 16 post on Truth Social, he claimed the Iranian government had canceled more than 800 scheduled executions, a claim Iran’s top prosecutor, Mohammad Movahedi, dismissed as “completely false.”
As protests persist and military posturing intensifies, the standoff between Iran and the United States shows no immediate signs of easing, raising concerns about further escalation in an already volatile region.
