# deterrence
Latest news and articles about deterrence
Total: 36 articles found
Why a Burst of High-Level US–Japan Engagement Is the Region’s New Signal
An increase in top‑level U.S.–Japan interactions is meant to demonstrate a tighter, more adaptive alliance across defence and economic domains. The moves are designed to deter rivals and reassure partners, but they also raise the stakes for crisis management and regional stability.
Khamenei Warns U.S. That Any Attack Would Ignite a Wider Regional War
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any U.S. attempt to start a war would rapidly spread into a full regional conflict, vowing firm retaliation to any aggression. The statement reinforces Tehran’s deterrent posture, heightens the risk of proxy escalation across the Middle East, and complicates Washington’s military calculus.
Iran Signals Willingness to Talk — But Warns of 'Firm, Forceful' Response if Attacked
Iran's foreign minister said Tehran still prefers negotiations but only if threats and pressure are removed, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with a "firm, forceful" response. The comments blend openness to diplomacy with a clear deterrent posture and come amid stalled talks over Iran's nuclear programme and heightened regional tensions.
Iran Asserts Conventional Deterrence as IAEA Board May Refer Nuclear File to UN Security Council
Iran’s nuclear chief said Tehran can defend itself without nuclear weapons and warned the IAEA board may refer its nuclear dossier to the UN Security Council in March. The comments signal a diplomatic standoff in which Western capitals press for accountability while Iran stresses conventional deterrence and limited cooperation with safeguards.
Pentagon Tells Trump It Is Ready to Carry Out Any Iran Order as Tensions Climb
The Pentagon told President Trump it is prepared to implement any decision on Iran as U.S. forces concentrate in the Middle East. Trump is reportedly considering a range of military options while Iran warns it is ready to respond, leaving the region at heightened risk of escalation.
US Sends Carrier Strike Group and Air-Force Drill into Middle East as Pressure on Iran Rises
CENTCOM has announced a multi-day Ninth Air Force readiness exercise in the Middle East, emphasizing rapid, dispersed deployments, while the nuclear-powered Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has entered the region. The moves heighten military pressure on Iran and signal US intent to deter threats while calibrating operational posture to reduce vulnerabilities from large force concentrations.
Iran Vows Forceful Response to Any Attack, Blames U.S. and Israel for Sabotaging Talks
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman warned that the country’s armed forces will fully respond to any aggression and accused the United States and Israel of sabotaging negotiations. While professing openness to diplomacy, Tehran stressed it would resist if war were imposed and framed the stance as defending the survival of the state.
U.S. Gears Misawa Base to Host 48 F-35A Stealth Fighters, Signalling a Pacific Posture Shift
The Pentagon is preparing Misawa Air Base in Japan to host 48 F-35A stealth fighters to replace 36 F-16s, part of a 2024 modernization plan. The upgrade strengthens U.S.-Japan deterrence, requires significant base infrastructure and will reverberate across regional strategic dynamics.
Iran Warns Any Strike Will Be Treated as ‘Full-Scale War’ as U.S. Sends More Forces to the Middle East
A senior Iranian official declared that any form of attack will be treated as a full-scale war as Tehran puts its forces on high alert, responding to U.S. reports of increased deployments to the Middle East. The warning narrows the space for limited military responses and raises the risk of miscalculation in an already volatile region.
Iran Warns Any Strike on Its Territory Would Turn All U.S. Bases into Legitimate Targets
On 22 January, a senior commander of Iran’s Hatam al‑Anbiya Central Command warned that any attack on Iranian territory would immediately make U.S. interests and bases legitimate targets, promising swift and destructive retaliation. The statement broadens Tehran’s claimed right to retaliate and raises the risk that a limited incident could escalate into a wider confrontation, complicating U.S. deterrence and regional security.
Israel Says It Is Primed to Meet ‘Multi‑Front’ Threats After Lessons From 2025 Iran Clash
IDF Chief Zamir announced the Israeli military is at high alert and prepared to use unprecedented offensive capabilities to meet potential multi‑front threats, citing lessons from a June 2025 confrontation with Iran. The declaration signals a sharpened deterrent posture but raises the risk of regional escalation and places persistent strain on Israel’s reserves and diplomacy.
After a US Strike, the Hemisphere’s Military Complacency Is on Display
A recent US strike has exposed the Western Hemisphere’s uneven defensive posture, revealing how decades of underinvestment and a shift toward internal security have left many states vulnerable to precision long‑range attacks. The incident highlights the need for layered deterrence—technical, organisational and diplomatic—to prevent escalation and reduce strategic dependence.