Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a stark warning on Sunday that any military strike by the United States against Iran would not remain confined to a bilateral conflict but could escalate into a broader regional war, highlighting the fragile state of relations between Tehran and Washington amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Khamenei’s comments, carried by state media and Tasnim News Agency, came as the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying a task force including six destroyers, an aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships in nearby waters. The buildup follows repeated public warnings by U.S. President Donald Trump that military intervention remains an option if Iran does not agree to constraints on its nuclear programme or halt actions against protesters.
“The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei said in his address, underscoring Tehran’s firm stance that it does not seek conflict but will respond forcefully to any attack. He added that the Iranian nation would not be cowed by external threats and would defend its sovereignty.
Iran’s warning reflects mounting domestic and international pressure. Protests that began in late December over economic hardship have devolved into the most serious political challenge since the 1979 Revolution, with rights groups reporting thousands of deaths figures significantly higher than official tallies. The unrest has been portrayed by Iranian authorities as externally inspired, heightening Tehran’s distrust of Western intentions.
In addition to Khamenei’s remarks, Tehran has taken other confrontational steps. Iran’s parliament declared all European Union militaries as “terrorist groups” after the EU designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The symbolic move further underscores Iran’s defiant posture as diplomatic relations continue to fray.
While Iran’s leadership maintains that it prefers a diplomatic solution, insisting it is open to “fair” negotiations that do not compromise its defense capabilities, the trajectory of recent events points to a significant risk of escalation. Tehran has signaled to neighbouring states that backing U.S. military action including the use of their airspace could be considered hostile and carry severe consequences, raising alarm among regional governments wary of being drawn into broader hostilities.
International concern is growing as military contingents maneuver in the region and rhetoric hardens on both sides. Western and Gulf governments are closely monitoring the situation, with Arab states particularly anxious that any U.S. strike could disrupt trade routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, and jeopardise regional stability.
Analysts note that Khamenei’s forceful warning serves both as deterrence against military action and a signal of internal unity in the face of external pressure. However, the clear articulation of consequences if conflict erupts now places regional leaders, global powers, and diplomatic intermediaries on high alert, as the possibility of a wider conflagration looms large in the geopolitical landscape.