Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack on Iran would lead to a broader “regional war,” as tensions rose amid heightened military deployments and continued diplomatic pressure over Iran’s nuclear program and its crackdown on unrest.
In public remarks, he said Iran does not seek to initiate conflict but would respond forcefully if attacked, casting recent domestic unrest as an externally-backed attempt to destabilize the state.
The warning came as reporting pointed to a notable US naval buildup in the region, adding weight to fears that miscalculation could spiral into direct confrontation.
Separately, Iran has signaled it remains open to negotiations under conditions it considers “fair,” while US messaging has mixed pressure with the possibility of a renewed deal framework — leaving markets and regional capitals watching for whether diplomacy can slow the escalation cycle.