Iran-US communication halted as military placed on highest alert

Direct communication between senior officials of Iran and the United States has been suspended amid rising tensions over a possible military strike, while Iran’s armed forces have been placed on the highest level of alert.

The Indian embassy in Tehran has advised its citizens to leave Iran. The United States, Canada and Australia have issued similar advisories amid fears of escalating violence.

An Iranian senior official told Reuters on Wednesday that communication between foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff has been halted. Tehran has also warned US allies in the Middle East that their military bases would be targeted if the United States launches an attack. Key personnel have already been asked to leave the Al Udeid airbase in Doha, Qatar.

Iran’s military has adopted the “highest defensive readiness” in anticipation of a possible US attack, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said. The IRGC air force commander said Iran is fully prepared to confront any form of aggression.

Iranian state-run Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday that IRGC air force commander Sardar Mousavi said missile stockpiles have increased compared to the period before the 12-day war with Israel last June and that damage sustained at that time has been repaired.

Iran’s defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that “many surprises” await adversaries if Iran is attacked. He made the remarks after US president Donald Trump intensified threats of military intervention over protests in Iran.

Speaking at a national security council meeting, Nasirzadeh said if the threats materialise, Iran will defend the country with full force until the last drop of blood. He warned regional allies of the United States that any assistance in attacks against Iran would make them legitimate targets.

Amid growing tensions, high-level direct communication between Iran and the United States has been suspended. The development comes as protests in Iran have somewhat subsided following a firm government crackdown after two weeks of deadly unrest.