TEHRAN, Sketsa.id – Military tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated sharply on the eve of high-stakes negotiations set for Oman on Friday, February 6, 2026. In a stark warning, Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia declared that Tehran’s forces are prepared for war should Washington opt for confrontation.

“We have always announced that we are ready to face any option and scenario considered by the enemy, and if the enemy chooses the option of war, we are ready for any option under war conditions,” Akraminia stated on Thursday, as reported by the ISNA news agency.

This bellicose rhetoric comes just one day before the two nations are scheduled to sit down for talks and follows a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that “bad things” could happen if an agreement is not reached. The exchange has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.

Akraminia emphasized that any potential conflict would not be limited. “If war breaks out, its scope will cover the entire geographical area of the region and all U.S. bases—from the occupied territories to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, where the U.S. has bases,” he asserted. “Our access to U.S. bases is easy, and this has increased their vulnerability.”

Adding to the volatile atmosphere, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two foreign-flagged oil tankers and their crews in the Gulf on charges of fuel smuggling—a move likely to further inflame tensions.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military leadership signaled its own readiness. Israeli Air Force chief Major General Tomer Bar stated on Thursday that the military “continues to strengthen preparedness and capabilities both in defense and offense.” This statement followed a visit to an Iron Dome air defense battery in northern Israel.

Iran, which claims to have bolstered its ballistic missile stockpile since an Israeli strike last June, has repeatedly threatened to retaliate against any threat to its security, targeting both Israel and U.S. bases in the region.

Scheduled talks in Oman aim to address the deadlock over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, the path to diplomacy remains fraught. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that any deal must include Iran’s missile program, its support for regional groups, and its domestic policies. Iran has so far shown willingness to discuss only its nuclear activities, and not under the stringent conditions set by Washington.

In a call for calm, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged both American and Iranian leaders to continue dialogue, stating Turkey is doing its utmost to prevent tensions from dragging the region into “new conflict and chaos.”

The backdrop to this crisis includes a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East following Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests last month—the deadliest since the 1979 revolution. The U.S. has deployed thousands of additional troops, an aircraft carrier strike group, warships, fighter jets, and reconnaissance aircraft to the region.

As the world watches Oman, the message from Tehran is clear: the choice between compromise and conflict now rests with Washington. (cc)