Against the backdrop of rising tensions between the United States and Iran, reflected in the buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East, al-Qaeda is calling for a jihadist war against the American presence in the region and for halting what it describes as a U.S.-led Jewish crusade against Muslim lands and the religion of Islam.

In al-Qaeda’s view, the United States has consistently pursued aggression against Muslims, as evidenced by its war against the Taliban in Afghanistan and against the mujahideen in Iraq, and it now appears to be seeking once again to attack Muslims. According to the organization, U.S. aggression against Venezuela serves as further proof that American policy is inherently aggressive.

Al-Qaeda’s call for jihad against the United States is an opportunistic attempt to exploit tensions between Washington and Tehran in order to restore its relevance in the cognitive and ideological sphere. The organization frames the regional escalation as proof of its long-standing narrative of a “Western war against Islam,” aiming to legitimize violence and mobilize supporters, even though its actual ability to influence the strategic balance remains limited. The primary risk is not an immediate military threat, but rather the reinforcement of jihadist discourse and the inspiration of isolated attacks in fragile arenas.

The image is a screenshot of Al Qaeda’s official statement, published on an AQ-affiliated RocketChat server