Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has cautioned the United States against any military action, warning that an attack on Iran would provoke a strong retaliation and could set off a broader conflict across the Middle East.
Addressing the rising tension on Sunday, Khamenei said a U.S. assault would not be contained within Iran’s borders. He emphasised that Tehran has no plans to start a war but would respond decisively if its sovereignty is violated, insisting that Iran’s posture remains defensive rather than aggressive.
The cleric reiterated that Iran does not seek to attack any nation, but would not hesitate to confront what it perceives as harassment or aggression. He said the Iranian people were prepared to deliver a firm response to any threat, a stance he described as necessary to safeguard national dignity and security.
The warning comes as relations between Iran and Western countries continue to deteriorate. Iran’s parliament on Sunday announced countermeasures against Europe, declaring all European Union militaries as “terrorist groups” after the EU listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. The move further deepened the diplomatic rift between Tehran and European capitals.
Nevertheless, Iranian authorities have sought to reassure regional partners that the country is not pursuing direct confrontation with Washington. President Masoud Pezeshkian, during a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, reaffirmed that Iran has never sought war and remains committed to avoiding conflict.
In Washington, President Donald Trump maintained that military options remain open, even as diplomatic contacts continue. He confirmed that a U.S. naval strike group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, has been deployed close to Iran, a development that has raised fears of possible military escalation.
