The Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic states that Iran must prepare itself for a U.S. attack. Admiral Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday to the Student News Agency ISNA that Iran should assume that the U.S. will attack. President Bush has labeled Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as members of an 'axis of evil,' and Shamkhani fears that if the U.S. declares war on Iraq, Iran will be the next target.
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Shamkhani: Iran Must Assume That the U.S. Will Attack
Feb 11, 2026
February 11, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Iran's Minister of Defense, warns that Iran should prepare for a potential U.S. attack, especially in light of President Bush's designation of Iran as part of an 'axis of evil.' This statement reflects heightened tensions and concerns about U.S. military actions in the region.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
Iran's defense minister warns of a looming threat from the U.S., signaling heightened military readiness amid regional tensions.
👥 Key Players
Admiral Ali Shamkhani
MENTIONED
Minister of Defense of Iran
"As a high-ranking military official, Shamkhani's statements reflect the Iranian government's stance on national security and military preparedness."
President George W. Bush
MENTIONED
Former President of the United States
"Bush's designation of Iran as part of the 'axis of evil' has significant implications for U.S.-Iran relations and military strategy."
📰 What Happened
Admiral Ali Shamkhani warned that Iran should prepare for a potential U.S. attack, particularly if the U.S. engages in military action against Iraq. This statement highlights Iran's concerns about its security in the face of U.S. military posturing in the region.
- Shamkhani's comments were made to the Student News Agency ISNA.
- He expressed fears that Iran could be targeted following U.S. actions in Iraq.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: Internally, this statement may rally national sentiment around military preparedness and unity against perceived external threats.
🌍 Regional: The warning could escalate tensions in the Middle East, affecting relations between Iran, Iraq, and the U.S.
🌐 International: For the international community, particularly the U.S. and its allies, this highlights the ongoing volatility in U.S.-Iran relations and the potential for conflict.
📚 Background
The term 'axis of evil' was used by President Bush in 2002 to describe nations he viewed as threats to U.S. security, including Iran. This has historically strained U.S.-Iran relations.
U.S.-Iran relations
Middle East military conflicts
📡 Source:
STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence:
70%
As a statement from a government official reported by state media, it reflects the official Iranian perspective and may emphasize nationalistic sentiments.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
📍
Iran
100
📍
United States
100
📍
Iraq
100
🏢
Islamic Republic
100
🏢
Kataib Hezbollah
100
OFAC
🏢
Islamic Republic of Iran
100
📍
North Korea
100
🏢
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
100
OFAC
🏢
Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines
100
OFAC
👤
Ali Shamkhani
100
🏢
IRISL
40
OFAC
📍
Moldova
🏢
ISNA
📌
Board of Directors of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines
📌
CEO of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines
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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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