# deterrence
Latest news and articles about deterrence
Total: 16 articles found
Tehran Insists on Nuclear-Only Talks as US Pushes to Broaden Agenda
Iran and the United States are set to hold talks in Muscat on February 6, but Tehran insists the agenda be limited to nuclear issues while Washington is pushing to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme. The disagreement over scope, combined with recent military signalling from Iran, raises the stakes for a fragile negotiation that could either defuse or inflame regional tensions.
As AUKUS Stalls, Analysts Float B-2 Purchase as a Stopgap for Australia’s Deterrent Gap
With the AUKUS submarine programme facing mounting delays and political hurdles, some Western analysts have proposed Australia acquire US B‑2 stealth bombers as an alternative means of long‑range deterrence. The proposal highlights the gap between strategic ambitions and procurement realities, but faces steep legal, logistical and political barriers that make it unlikely as a straightforward solution.
On the Eastern Seaboard, China’s Frontline Troops Send a Stark Message of Readiness
A reporter's on-the-ground account from China's eastern coast highlights intensive, joint frontline readiness intended as both practical defence preparation and political deterrence. The story underscores how routine drills and heightened operational tempo raise the stakes for miscalculation in a crowded maritime theatre.
US Forces at Iran’s Doorstep — But the Crucial Window for Influence Has Closed
US forces are positioned close to Iran, but a critical period in which decisive pressure or punitive action would have been most effective has passed. That missed timing narrows US options, increases regional instability, and forces difficult choices between costly escalation and containment backed by diplomacy.
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.