Military units loyal to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov have announced their readiness to deploy to Iran to support Iranian armed forces in the event of a US ground operation. They describe the conflict as a “religious war” and their potential intervention as “jihad in defense of the Islamic Republic.”

Lieutenant General Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat special forces, was more direct. In a video posted on Telegram, he said he is ready to transfer all weapons at his disposal to Iran and enter combat on Tehran’s side, if Russia authorizes it. “We must give Iran everything we can and support it by all possible means,” he declared. Alaudinov also claimed that Trump is, with “99% probability,” the “Antichrist.”

The announcement comes as the US weighs escalation options: thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are already in the region, along with 2,500 Marines. Trump has mentioned the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub.