Iran Warns of '200 Percent' Readiness for Defense Amid US Military Threats

Tehran. As the United States continues to threaten military strikes, Iranian officials have warned that the country is '200 percent' ready to defend itself. While regional diplomatic efforts are underway to avert war, US President Donald Trump has deployed an 'armada' (a massive naval combat group) near Iran's waters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to hold high-level talks in Turkey on Friday. According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Smail Baghaei, Tehran wishes to strengthen relations with its neighbors.

Regional leaders are urging the US not to attack and for both sides to reach some kind of agreement. However, US forces, led by the American aircraft carrier 'USS Abraham Lincoln,' remain stationed near Iran.

Senior political, military, and judicial officials in Iran are also continuously issuing challenging messages. Kazem Garibabadi, a senior member of the Iranian negotiating team, stated that the current priority is defending the country, not negotiating with the US.

He clarified that although messages are being exchanged with the US through mediators, Iran is fully prepared for war. He recalled the incident in June when Israel and the US attacked just as talks were about to begin.

Meanwhile, the Iranian army announced on Thursday that it had added 1,000 new 'strategic' drones to its forces. This includes 'suicide drones' as well as combat and reconnaissance aircraft capable of attacking stationary or moving targets on land, in the air, and at sea. Iran has intensified its display of military power following the killing of senior military officials and an attack on a nuclear facility during the 12-day conflict last June.

Public opinion within Iran appears divided. Staunch supporters of the government are echoing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's statement that 'America can do nothing.' They claim that if the US or Israel launches missiles, they will respond forcefully and destroy their base camps.

However, ordinary citizens are terrified of the prospect of the second major war within a year. Young people and students in Tehran expressed concern, noting that it is the common people who will die if war breaks out.

In preparation for a potential war, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has given border province governors special authority to import essential goods and food. Although the Tehran Municipality proposed a plan to build underground shelters (bunkers), this is not expected to be completed immediately. This means that if an airstrike occurs, the public will lack places to hide.

Furthermore, the Iranian public is anxious about the possibility of communication blackouts, similar to the internet shutdown during last month's protests. Most people still lack easy access to the internet and live in fear that war will lead to further devastation and bloodshed.