The leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned on Sunday that any aggression from the United States would inevitably trigger a 'regional war' amidst extreme tension over Washington's military deployment in the Gulf. In an official speech, the country's top political and religious authority responded to recent threats from the US government, asserting that the deployment of ships in the region does not intimidate the Persian nation. 'Americans must know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,' Khamenei declared, according to reports from the Tasnim agency. During his address, the Ayatollah stated that while his administration has no intention of starting a military conflict, 'it will deliver a firm blow to anyone who attacks it.' These statements come as a direct response to the position of the White House, which does not rule out the use of force if an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program is not reached. It is worth noting that Washington, after bombing Iranian territory during the so-called '12-Day War' last June, recently deployed a fleet larger than the one sent to Venezuela. Regarding the military pressure exerted by the Donald Trump administration, Khamenei was categorical in stating that demonstrations of naval power have no effect on the public sentiment in his country. 'That is why they attacked the Police, government centers, the Revolutionary Guard forces, banks, and mosques, and even burned the Quran,' he added. 'This gentleman constantly claims that they have sent aircraft carriers and the like.'
