Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a stark warning that any military attack by the United States would trigger a “regional war” in the Middle East. This statement follows recent threats from President Donald Trump regarding U.S. military intervention in response to Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests. Khamenei’s remarks were delivered to a crowd at his compound in Tehran and were reported by the Tasnim news agency.
The tensions have escalated since the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group in international waters off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf. Trump has expressed a desire to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, though it remains uncertain whether he will resort to military action. In a recent press conference while en route to Florida, Trump refrained from clarifying his stance on potential strikes, stating, “Some people think that. Some people don’t.”
Khamenei accused the U.S. of seeking to control Iran’s oil, natural gas, and mineral resources, asserting that the Americans aim to “seize this country, just as they controlled it before.” He emphasized that Iran does not intend to initiate conflict but warned that any aggression would be met with a strong response, declaring, “If anyone shows greed and wants to attack or harass, the Iranian nation will deal a heavy blow to them.”
The backdrop to Khamenei’s remarks is the ongoing unrest in Iran, which began on December 28, 2022, primarily sparked by the collapse of the national currency, the rial. The protests have evolved into a broader challenge to Khamenei’s authority. While Khamenei had previously acknowledged some protestors’ economic grievances, he has since characterized the demonstrations as akin to a coup attempt, claiming they targeted critical state institutions.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, which monitors events in Iran, approximately 6,713 people have died during the protests, with at least 49,500 arrests reported. However, these figures are difficult to verify independently due to the Iranian government’s restrictions on access to information and the internet. The Iranian government has officially reported a significantly lower death toll of 3,117, categorizing many fatalities as “terrorists.”
As tensions continue to rise, Iran has announced plans for a live-fire military drill in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil trade. The U.S. military’s Central Command has issued warnings against any actions that might threaten American vessels or disrupt commercial shipping during the exercise.
The situation remains fluid, with both nations on high alert and the potential for further escalation looming. Observers are closely monitoring developments, particularly as the Iranian government faces increasing internal dissent and external pressure.
