US and Iran exchange threats amid war concerns

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it has prepared for a “long‑term war” by maintaining unused strategic weapons, a statement made in a televised briefing that underscored Tehran’s readiness to sustain a protracted conflict. The IRGC’s warning came amid heightened regional tensions and follows a series of missile tests and drone deployments that analysts say reflect an expanding arsenal capable of striking both regional adversaries and distant targets. Iranian officials did not specify the types of weapons held in reserve, but the claim aligns with previous reports of the Guard’s development of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems that have yet to be deployed in combat.

In a separate interview on Fox News, former U.S. President Donald Trump was quoted as saying he was “weighing options ‘if and when do I blow the entire nation up,’” a remark that prompted immediate condemnation from U.S. officials and raised concerns about incendiary rhetoric from a former head of state. The White House and the Department of Justice have not confirmed any investigation into the comment, while media watchdogs noted that Trump’s statements diverge sharply from standard diplomatic discourse. Both the IRGC warning and Trump’s remarks have been cited by international observers as potential escalators of geopolitical risk, prompting calls for measured responses and heightened diplomatic engagement to prevent further destabilization.