Tehran: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stark warning to the United States, cautioning that any military strike against Iran could escalate into a 'regional war.' Khamenei's comments, reported by the Tasnim news agency, underscore the heightened tensions between the two nations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Khamenei emphasized that while Iran does not seek conflict and will not initiate one, the Iranian populace is prepared to respond decisively to any acts of aggression. His remarks come amidst growing concerns of potential US military intervention following Iran's severe crackdown on anti-government protests. Reports from Iranian human rights activists indicate that the crackdown has resulted in thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of fatalities.
The US has bolstered its military presence in the region since January, deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln among other forces. President Donald Trump has also increased pressure on Iran with renewed threats and additional warships reportedly en route to the region.
In parallel, diplomatic efforts appear to be underway, with a senior Iranian official indicating that Iran is preparing for discussions with the US, including talks concerning Iran's nuclear program. Qatar's foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has taken on a mediating role, recently holding discussions in Tehran with key Iranian figures.
Amid the US-Iran tensions, Iran has also ramped up its rhetoric against European nations following the EU's decision to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Although largely symbolic, this designation has prompted Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to declare EU military forces as 'terrorist groups' in response.
The IRGC, an elite branch of Iran's military, has seen significant growth in both military and socio-economic domains, extending its influence through various investments. Upcoming marine exercises by the IRGC in the Gulf of Oman were uncertain after a joint maneuver with China and Russia was postponed.