Missiles ready to fire: Iran warns of severe response to potential US attack

Iran has warned enemies against any potential attack on its territory, saying it is prepared to use its underground missile cities to impose a heavy cost on the US after Donald Trump ramped up his rhetoric against Tehran.

"Iran has achieved a level of active deterrence in which any violation of its sovereignty will be met with a severe response," the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces said in a statement on Sunday marking the anniversary of the Islamic Republic's foundation.

The state-run English newspaper Tehran Times also reported that "Iranian missiles are loaded onto launchers in all underground missile cities and are ready for launch."

"Opening the Pandora's box will come at a heavy cost for the US government and its allies," the report added, citing information it had obtained.

Tehran Times is owned by Islamic Propagation Organization whose director is appointed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Trump on Sunday warned of bombing Iran if Tehran fails to reach a deal over its nuclear program.

"If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing — and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before," Trump was quoted as saying during a phone interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker.

Hours later, Trump told reporters he "would prefer a deal to the other alternative which I think everybody on this plane knows what that is. That's not going to be pretty."

On Saturday, a report by The Telegraph said Iran would strike a British-American naval base in the Indian Ocean if it were attacked by the US.

The report, which cited a senior Iranian military official, came after Washington deployed long-range bombers at the strategic airbase.

B-2 Spirit bombers have arrived at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in Chagos Islands, a US Strategic Command spokesperson confirmed to Iran International earlier this week as Washington ramps up rhetoric against Iran.

In an apparent response to the deployment, the Iranian official told The Telegraph, "There will be no distinction in targeting British or American forces if Iran is attacked from any base in the region or within the range of Iranian missiles."

However, the Indian Ocean base is 3,800 kilometers from the Iran and Iranian ballistic missiles have a maximum range of 2,000 kilometers.