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Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that any military action by the United States against Iran could trigger a wider regional conflict.
Speaking on Sunday, Khamenei said a U.S. attack would not remain limited, stressing that it could escalate into a regional war.
His remarks were reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
“If the U.S. starts a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei said.
He added that Iran had no intention of initiating hostilities but would respond strongly if attacked.
“We are not the instigators, and we do not seek to attack any country. But the Iranian nation will deliver a firm blow to anyone who attacks or harasses it,” the Iranian leader said.
The warning comes amid rising tensions between Tehran and Western countries.
On Sunday, Iran’s parliament announced retaliatory measures against Europe, declaring all European Union militaries “terrorist groups” following an EU decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.
Iranian officials have also reiterated that the country does not seek direct confrontation with the United States.
President Masoud Pezeshkian told Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a phone call on Saturday that Iran was not seeking conflict with Washington, according to a statement from the Iranian presidency.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought, and in no way seeks, war,” Pezeshkian said.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said military options remained available, even as talks were ongoing.
“Iran is talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something,” Trump told Fox News. “We have a big fleet heading out there,” he added.
Trump also said U.S. allies in the region were not being briefed on potential strike plans for security reasons.
Washington has deployed a naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier near Iran, raising concerns about possible military escalation.
Iran will deliver ‘firm blow’ if attacked – Supreme Leader, Khamenei warns US
