Khamenei warns of regional war if U.S. attacks after IDF chief visits Washington

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning on Sunday regarding the potential for a "regional war" if the United States were to attack Iran. This statement follows a recent military build-up by the U.S. in the Gulf region, which includes an expansion of its naval presence. Khamenei emphasized that the U.S. should understand that any initiation of conflict would lead to a decisive response from Iran, stating, "If they start a war, this time it will be a regional war" (Haaretz, The Hindu). Khamenei accused the U.S. of seeking to seize Iran's oil and natural gas resources, framing the U.S. actions as aggressive and threatening to Iran's sovereignty. He reiterated that Iran is not the initiator of war, but warned that any attack or harm directed towards Iran would be met with significant retaliation from the Iranian nation (Al Jazeera, Times of Israel). The backdrop to Khamenei's remarks includes heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S., particularly following President Donald Trump's threats of military intervention unless Iran complies with demands related to its nuclear program and internal governance. The U.S. Navy's current deployment includes six destroyers and one aircraft carrier, which has been described as a "massive armada" heading towards the region (Middle East Eye). Despite the escalating threats, both Iran and the U.S. appear to be leaving open the possibility for negotiations, indicating a complex and tense diplomatic landscape (Middle East Eye).