Opinion

Ayatollah's arsenal vs. American firepower: Iran's top 4 threats and how we fight back

US forces plan to utilize Patriot batteries, F-35 fighters and Navy destroyers to intercept Iranian threats

By Rebecca Grant Fox News

Published February 23, 2026 5:00am EST

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Trump warns Iran, Netanyahu issues threat as US military presence in Mideast grows

President Donald Trump warns Iran against nuclear weapons as U.S. military assets surge into the Middle East. Benjamin Netanyahu issues a stark warning to Iran amid joint drills with Russia, intensifying regional tensions.

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Ayatollah Khamenei on X ramped up threats to send U.S. warships to the bottom of the sea. "Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea," he (or his minions) tweeted Feb 17.

Admiral Brad Cooper, who’s in charge of United States Central Command, has forces to counter Iran, and to carry out strikes if so ordered. Sadly, Iran has taken American lives over the years, and now the regime is desperate. With the airspace laid bare by attacks on integrated air defenses prior to Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran has little ability to defend against stealth aircraft. 

Count on Iran trying to hit U.S. ships and bases.

Here are the four top tactics in the ayatollah’s arsenal – and how the U.S. will fight back.

US MILITARY WARNS IRAN IT WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY 'UNSAFE' ACTIONS AHEAD OF LIVE-FIRE DRILLS IN STRAIT OF........

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