• Source:JND
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to deliver a ‘crushing’ response to both Israel and the United States following recent Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian military installations. These retaliatory strikes occurred late last month and have heightened tensions in the region, prompting Khamenei's assertive warning.

“The enemies, both the US and the Zionist regime (Israel), should know that they will definitely receive a crushing response for what they are doing against Iran and the resistance front,” said Khamenei, referring to Iran-allied militant groups including Hamas and Hezbollah.

While speaking during a meeting with students on Saturday, ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Tehran, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported Khamenei as saying, 'We are certainly doing everything necessary to prepare the Iranian nation to stand against arrogance, whether in terms of military readiness, armaments, or political actions. Thank God, our officials are currently engaged in this.'

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US Boosts Military Presence In Middle East

After years of relative restraint from direct military confrontation, Iran and Israel have entered a phase of escalating retaliation that has persisted for months, involving their respective allies and proxy forces. 

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This intensifying cycle of hostilities has raised fears of a potential all-out war in the region. In response to the growing tensions, the Pentagon took significant action in late September by extending the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group in the Gulf of Oman. This move aims to deter Iranian attacks and provide the capability to intercept any ballistic missiles directed at Israel, highlighting the increasing stakes of the conflict.

The Pentagon on Friday announced that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of more ballistic missile defence destroyers, fighter jets, tanker aircraft, and B-52 long-range bombers to the Middle East.