JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday warned that a US attack on Iran would trigger a regional war.
"If the US starts a war this time, the impact will spread to the entire region," Khamenei said in a meeting in Tehran ahead of the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, reported by Anadolu (2/2).
Khamenei further said his rejection of the deployment of the aircraft carrier and warships of the Uncle Sam State to the Persian Gulf, describing the measures as "not new."
According to him, US officials have repeatedly issued similar warnings in the past, often claiming "all options are on the table" including military action.
"Now this person also constantly claims that 'we are bringing warships' and so on," Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to US President Donald Trump.
"The Iranian nation does not need to fear such things. The Iranian people are not affected by these threats," he said.
Previously, President Trump in a post on social media last Wednesday, a large "fleet" was heading to Iran, while urging Tehran to immediately enter negotiations.
The statement sparked speculation about a possible US military strike, which led to a strong reaction from Iranian officials as well as busy diplomatic activity in the region.
Khamenei stressed that Iran would not be the initiator of any war and "does not seek to attack any country," warning Iran would "deal a crushing blow to anyone who attacks or disturbs it."
Responding to recent anti-government protests in Iran, Khamenei described the demonstrations as "similar to a coup" that was ultimately thwarted.
He claimed the riots were aimed at "destroying the important and effective centers involved in running the country."
Iranian authorities have accused the US and Israel of supporting what they call "rioters" and "terrorists" who carried out violent acts during the protests.
Despite growing fears of a US attack on Iran, there are signs that tensions may be easing.
Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani on Saturday said a "structured framework" for negotiations "is being formed and moving forward," while dismissing what he called excessive media coverage.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
