Mojtaba Khamenei has told military commanders to prepare a strong response if the US or Israel carries out another attack on Iran.
Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned the United States and Israel against launching further attacks on Iran, telling senior military commanders to prepare an immediate and wide-ranging response to any new threat.
The warning comes amid growing concerns that fighting could resume following threats from Washington and Tel Aviv. US President Donald Trump has warned of possible fresh military action after the US midterm elections, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the situation as a historic opportunity to bring down the Iranian government.
In a statement issued after a meeting with senior military officials, Khamenei said any threat against Iran must be met with an immediate response without geographical restrictions.
“Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response,” he said, according to the statement.
The meeting reportedly included armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, army chief Amir Hatami, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi. It was the first reported meeting between Khamenei and the country’s senior military leadership.
Khamenei also instructed commanders to update Iran’s list of potential targets to include “all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the American-Zionist enemy.”
The Iranian leader has not appeared publicly since before taking office in March, following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli strikes.
US and Israel Signal Possibility of Further Military Action
The latest warning follows statements from senior US and Israeli officials indicating that further military action remains possible.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a G20 news conference in Atlanta, said Trump had not made a decision on new strikes. However, he added: “We can achieve military objectives if we seek to.”
In Israel, Netanyahu has described the current situation as a “historic, one-time opportunity” to topple the Iranian government. The country has held elections but has yet to form a new government.
The political developments in both countries are adding uncertainty to the conflict. The US midterm elections are also taking place against the backdrop of rising energy prices linked to restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz Disruption Raises Global Energy Concerns
Since the conflict began, Iran has restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that normally carries around one-fifth of global oil consumption.
The disruption has contributed to a rise in international energy prices, adding pressure on markets and increasing domestic political concerns in the United States ahead of the midterm elections.
Iranian state television reported on Saturday that a ship travelling through the strait had struck a mine and caught fire. A day earlier, the Revolutionary Guards said three oil tankers had been halted following unspecified incidents or after hitting mines.
The shipping restrictions have raised concerns about the security of energy supplies and the possibility of further disruption to international trade.
Iran has also previously warned that it could target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Says No Direct Talks With Washington Are Planned
Despite the military warnings, diplomatic efforts are continuing through regional mediators seeking to prevent another round of fighting.
Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Friday, while US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, at Trump’s direction in an effort to revive negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran had received the letter but said there were currently no plans for direct meetings with American officials.
“Iran’s conditions are clear, and consultations regarding them are ongoing among mediators,” Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
He also described Washington’s effort to open dialogue and reach a broader understanding as a positive step.
Qatar and Pakistan have been involved in mediation between the two sides, but their efforts have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
Iran Warns Any New Conflict Could Spread Across the Region
Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akaraminia warned on Saturday that any renewed hostilities would extend the conflict beyond its current geographical boundaries.
“The flames of war will undoubtedly engulf a much wider geographical area,” he said in a social media statement.
Araghchi also warned on X that there would no longer be any “red lines” if further attacks took place.
The latest statements reflect the continuing divide between diplomatic efforts and military threats. While regional mediators are attempting to prevent renewed fighting, Tehran has made clear that it is preparing for a broader response if the United States or Israel launches another attack.
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Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei threatens a wider response as fears of renewed war grow.
Photo: ANI
Source: Gulf News
