BLUSTER: North Korea state media warns of nuclear strike if provoked as U.S. warships approach.

Tension has escalated sharply on the Korean peninsula with talk of military action by the United States gaining traction following its strikes last week against Syria and amid concerns the reclusive North may soon conduct a sixth nuclear test.

North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the country was prepared to respond to any aggression by the United States.

“Our revolutionary strong army is keenly watching every move by enemy elements with our nuclear sight focused on the U.S. invasionary bases not only in South Korea and the Pacific operation theatre but also in the U.S. mainland,” it said.

Pyongyang must also be keeping a wary eye on the northern border, where China is supposed to have sent several army divisions.

So this is either when Kim Jong-Un ramps up the bluster some more before making a few concessions and wringing some more aid out of the West, or when he does something crazy even for him.