TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday met with top military commanders and ordered them to meet any US or Israeli attack with a “geographically unrestricted response”, according to a written statement.
“Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response,” the leader said, according to the statement published on his website.
Iran’s supreme leader warned the United States against launching fresh attacks as speculation grows that the Middle East war will resume.
“If the enemies once again launch military or terrorist attacks, it is the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation that will determine the time and conditions for ending them,” said a statement attributed to Khamenei posted on his Telegram channel.
Iran’s army also warned Saturday that any new US attack would only spread their war wider, following threats by America and Israel of further military action as they hold crucial elections.
The Iranian warning comes with fresh diplomatic efforts underway to avert a resumption of fighting, with Qatari mediators in Tehran and US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sending a letter to Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei.
“If the US president once again embarks on more regional adventurism under pressure from, and in an attempt to appease, the Zionists, the flames of war will undoubtedly engulf a much wider geographical area,” Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said in a post on X, without elaborating.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also warned on Saturday that “Iran’s Powerful Armed Forces will deal against those who dare harm our people”.
On Friday, a Qatari delegation arrived in the Iranian capital for talks with senior Iranian officials.
Qatar and Pakistan have been mediating between the warring parties, but the talks have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Vance had sent his letter to Iran’s security chief at the direction of President Donald Trump in a bid to revive negotiations and avert further US strikes.
Iran has confirmed receiving the letter but has not announced any response.
