Iran's armed forces have been placed on high alert by order of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent threats against Tehran, according to a Reuters report citing an Iranian official.

The move signals a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nations, with the potential for military confrontation looming.

Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.

As America's military presence continues to build up in the Middle East, Iran has issued warnings to several Persian Gulf countries, including Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. Tehran has made it clear that any support for a U.S. military strike, including the use of airspace or territory, would be considered an act of hostility, carrying severe consequences.

"Such an act will have severe consequences for them," the official stated. This statement underscores the growing volatility in the region and the increasingly delicate balance of power.

Iran has firmly rejected direct negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program but remains open to indirect talks through Oman, a neutral intermediary.

The unnamed Iranian official emphasized that such talks offer "a chance to evaluate Washington's seriousness about a political solution with Iran." This suggests that while the path to resolution could be rocky, diplomatic discussions could proceed if the U.S. signals intent for diplomacy. Iran has stipulated that any direct talks would only occur once Trump's "maximum pressure" policy on Tehran is lifted.

Russia has condemned U.S. threats of military strikes against Iran on, calling them "unacceptable," and urged restraint.

A second Iranian official stated that while Iran is seeking further support from Russia, it remains skeptical about Moscow's commitment. The official added that this support largely depends on the dynamics between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.