Iran to respond ‘instantly’ in case of US attack: army spokesman

Iran will deliver an immediate response in case of an attack by the United States, the army spokesman said Thursday, warning that US military bases in the region or an aircraft carrier could be targets.

"A decisive response will be delivered instantly," army spokesman brigadier general Mohammad Akraminia told state television after the USS Abraham Lincoln deployed in the region, saying that US aircraft carriers have "serious vulnerabilities" and that numerous American bases are "within the range of our medium-range missiles".

"If such a miscalculation is made by the Americans, it will certainly not unfold the way (US President Donald) Trump imagines -- carrying out a quick operation and then, two hours later, tweeting that the operation is over," he warned.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Thursday he hoped to avoid military action against Iran, saying he planned to have further talks with Tehran on a possible nuclear deal.

"I built (up) the military in my first term, and now we have a group headed out to a place called Iran, and hopefully we won't have to use it," Trump told reporters at the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania.

Asked if he would have talks with Iran, Trump added: "I have had and I am planning on it. Yes, we have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now, and it would be great if we didn't have to use them."