Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued the strongest direct warning to the United States to date on Wednesday, stating that the Islamic Republic “will retaliate with all its capabilities if attacked again.”

Araghchi, who was withdrawn from attending the World Economic Forum in Davos due to his country’s crackdown on protesters, made the remarks as a U.S. aircraft carrier group moved from Asia toward the Middle East.

Reports also indicate that additional U.S. fighter jets and military equipment are being deployed in the region, following a broad U.S. military presence in the Caribbean after the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.