Khamenei warns US of ‘regional war’ if Iran is attacked

New Delhi, Feb 1: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States that any attack on Iran would lead to a “regional war”, according to a report by Al Jazeera. His remarks came as US President Donald Trump increased the American military presence in the Middle East. “They should know that if they start a war this time, it will be a regional war,” Khamenei said while speaking at an event in central Tehran on Sunday. The 86-year-old leader was addressing people on the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s return to Iran in 1979, an event that led to the Iranian Revolution. Khamenei’s comments came at a time when the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with fighter jets and navy destroyers, was moving closer to the region. This followed large anti-government protests in Iran earlier, in which thousands were reportedly killed, reports Al Jazeera. The protests began in late December after the Iranian currency collapsed and later turned into a direct challenge to Khamenei’s leadership.

According to Iranian state media, 3,117 people were killed in the protests, including civilians and security personnel. However, US-based rights groups have claimed that more than 6,000 people died. Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify these numbers. Since the protests, President Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran. While he earlier linked a possible attack to Iran’s handling of protests, he later said he wanted Tehran to agree to a nuclear deal. Despite strong public statements, both Iran and the US have said they are in contact to avoid a military clash. Trump said on Saturday that Iran was “seriously talking” to Washington. Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, also said Tehran was open to talks. Khamenei, however, accused the US of wanting to control Iran’s oil and gas resources. “This is the real reason for their hostility. Talks about human rights are just an excuse,” he said as reported by Al Jazeera. Trump said he wants Iran to agree to a deal that ensures it does not develop nuclear weapons, but added that he was not sure whether Tehran would accept such an agreement.