Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on 1 February that a “regional war” will erupt if the US decides to launch an attack against the Islamic Republic.
“The US should know that if they start a war this time, it would be a regional war,” Khamenei said on Sunday during a speech commemorating former supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini’s return to Iran after exile.
“[Trump] regularly says that he brought ships… The Iranian nation shall not be scared by these things, the Iranian people will not be stirred by these threats,” he went on to say.
“They seek to occupy Iran and restore their dominance over its resources, oil, politics, security, and international relations, just as during the Pahlavi era. This is the main reason for their hostility, and the rest of their claims, such as human rights, are just empty talk,” the Supreme Leader added.
Referring to US threats and the deployment of aircraft carriers, Khamenei said, “These statements are not new.”
“Of course, we are not the initiators of war. We do not seek to oppress anyone. We do not seek to attack any country. However, anyone who seeks to attack or cause harm will face a decisive blow.”
Iran has repeatedly vowed to forcefully confront any attack, but also stresses it is ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and without dictates.
Tehran has been calling on Washington to drop its demands for Iran to give up enriching uranium, destroy its stockpiles of already enriched uranium, significantly limit its missile program, and cease support for resistance movements across West Asia.
Head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said on Saturday that “Contrary to the atmosphere being created by artificial media warfare, the formation of a structure for negotiations is underway.”
US President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, said “Iran is talking to us,” adding that “we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens,” while referencing past negotiations that “didn’t work” and stressing he would not share Washington’s plan with Gulf allies.
Days earlier, on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Ankara and held de-escalation talks with his Turkish counterpart.
Washington’s aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, has arrived in West Asia with several accompanying warships. Washington has also deployed additional fighter jet squadrons to the region.
During the week, Trump said that a “beautiful armada” is headed toward Iran, calling on the Islamic Republic to capitulate to US terms and come to the negotiating table.
“Our brave Armed Forces are prepared – with their fingers on the trigger – to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression against our beloved land, air, and sea. The valuable lessons learned from the 12-Day War have enabled us to respond even more strongly, rapidly, and profoundly,” Araghchi stated on Wednesday.
Iran’s UN mission also said this week that Tehran is prepared to respond “like never before” if the country comes under attack.
The Iranian military says both Israel and the regional countries hosting US bases will be targeted if Washington attacks.