Iran Warns of Regional Conflict if U.S. Launches Attack

DUBAI: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Sunday that any U.S. military action against Iran could escalate into a wider regional conflict, amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

State media reported that Khamenei stressed the Iranian people would not be intimidated by U.S. threats. “We are not the initiators and do not seek to attack any country, but the Iranian nation will strike strongly against anyone who attacks or harasses us,” he said.

The remarks come as the U.S. has bolstered its naval presence in the Middle East, deploying six destroyers, an aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships. These moves follow repeated threats by President Donald Trump to intervene if Iran fails to adhere to nuclear agreements or continues actions against protesters.

Khamenei also highlighted that a diplomatic resolution remains possible, stating that Tehran is ready for “fair” negotiations that do not undermine its defensive capabilities.

The warning follows months of domestic unrest in Iran, triggered by economic hardships and evolving into widespread political protests the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic since its founding in 1979. Official figures put the death toll from the unrest at 3,117, though U.S.-based HRANA human rights group reports over 6,700 fatalities.

The Supreme Leader likened the protests to a “coup,” accusing what he called the “sedition” of attempting to attack the country’s governing institutions.