Iran warns US as air defense activated over Isfahan, Kish

Iran war readiness 2026: Warning from Tehran and air defense activation over Isfahan

The Iranian armed forces announced full military preparedness, warning the United States and its allies, hours after the US president announced the suspension of a planned attack on Iran, with US forces remaining on alert.

Iranian warning to Washington and its allies

The “Khatam al-Anbiya” Central Headquarters said, in statements reported by Iranian media on Tuesday, that the Iranian armed forces are at full readiness and will respond “quickly and decisively” to any new attack.

The headquarters commander added: “We announce to the United States and its allies and call on them not to repeat their strategic mistakes again.” He also said: “We will respond to them stronger than the Ramadan War and several times the previous response.”

The term “Ramadan War” refers to the war launched by the United States and Israel on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, during the month of Ramadan, resulting in thousands of civilian and military casualties, widespread destruction of infrastructure and nuclear facilities, in addition to a naval blockade on Iranian ports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran.

Trump suspends attack and Washington studies new options

The Iranian warning comes hours after US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of the planned military attack on Iran, at the request of Gulf leaders, with US forces remaining on full alert to launch a “large-scale” attack if no agreement is reached.

The warning also comes amid media reports that the US Department of Defense is studying new military options against Iran.

BREAKING: President Trump says he has called off a US “Military attack” on Iran which was scheduled for tomorrow after leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE called him and asked him to “hold off.”

Trump has instructed the US Military to “be prepared to go forward with a… pic.twitter.com/OQbBYuEP5u

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) May 18, 2026

Air defense systems intercept drones over Kish and Isfahan

Iranian air defense systems were activated over Kish Island in Gulf waters, as well as over the city of Isfahan in southern Iran, after drones were spotted in the skies.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted informed sources as saying: “After spotting small drones in the skies of Kish Island, the air defense system was activated to engage targets.”

The agency did not provide additional details about the fate of the drones or the operating party. Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr news agency reported the activation of air defense systems over Isfahan on Monday evening, without further details.

War and ceasefire

The United States and Israel began launching military strikes on Iran on February 28. In response to strikes targeting its territory, Iran decided to close the Strait of Hormuz.

On April 7, US President Donald Trump announced a mutual ceasefire for two weeks. Ten days later, navigation traffic in the Strait of Hormuz began to recover.

On April 21, the White House extended the ceasefire unilaterally, while the blockade on Iranian ports continued. Tehran announced it does not intend to recognize such measures and will act according to its interests.

Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran witnessed a new development, as Tehran announced it had delivered its response to the US plan to end the ongoing war between the two sides, through the Pakistani mediator.

This development comes amid media reports of criticism within the US administration of the current proposal. Observers believe that conflicting US statements reflect a state of ambiguity regarding the direction of negotiations and the prospects for continued fighting or its cessation.