Iran’s Supreme Leader: If the U.S. Starts a War, It Will Be Regional
WANA (Feb 01) – The Supreme Leader of Iran stated: The United States should know that if it starts a war, this time it will be a regional war.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said in today’s meeting with a large group of people regarding recent U.S. threats: That they sometimes talk about war and mention airplanes and warships and such is not a new matter.
He stated: In the past as well, the Americans repeatedly threatened in their statements and said that all options are on the table, including the option of war. Now this man (Trump) also constantly claims that we brought warships and so on.
The Supreme Leader added: The Iranian nation should not be frightened by these things. The people of Iran are not influenced by these threats. We are not the initiators and we do not want to attack any country, but the Iranian nation will deliver a firm punch to anyone who attacks and harasses it.
He also emphasized: Of course, the Americans should know that if they start a war, this time the war will be regional.
Trump to Iran: Massive U.S. Armada Nears, ‘Time Is Running Out’
WANA (Jan 28) – The U.S. president, Donald Trump, has once again threatened Iran and has called on Iran to come back to the negotiation table. In a post on his Social media platform, Truth Social, he wrote: “A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and […]
America Wants to Swallow Iran
Explaining the reason for U.S.-Iran confrontation over the past 47 years, Iran’s Supreme Leader said: What is the issue between America and Iran? This confrontation that has existed for more than forty years — what is it about? In my opinion, the issue can be summarized in two words. Those two words are that America wants to swallow Iran; the noble Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic are preventing it.
He added: It is like someone who says everything is settled in a marriage proposal and only two words remain. I say we want your daughter, and they say, “You are wrong.” Now the Iranian nation has told the other side, “You are wrong.” The so-called crime of the Iranian nation and the source of the dispute is over this very issue.
He added: the United States seeks to dominate Iran because of its resources, strategic position, and geopolitical importance, while the Iranian nation firmly resists.
He noted that the U.S. previously controlled Iran’s oil, politics, security, and foreign relations during the pre-revolutionary period and now seeks to restore that influence, but the Iranian people stand firmly against it.
He stated that claims about human rights and similar issues are merely pretexts, stressing that the core issue is U.S. ambition versus Iran’s resistance, and said the Iranian nation will continue to stand firm and, with God’s help, will frustrate hostile actions.
Seven Points on Trump’s Threatening Message Against Iran Under the Pretext of Protests
WANA (Jan 03) – Recently, Donald Trump threatened the Iranian government in a tweet, stating that the United States would intervene militarily if Iran dealt harshly with protesters. At the same time, Benjamin Netanyahu also declared that he “stands with the people of Iran.” For seven reasons, these statements and interventions are […]
Iran’s Supreme Leader Blames U.S. and Israel for Recent Unrest
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the recent unrest in Iran, calling it a foreign-backed plot and emphasizing its American and Israeli origins. He described the protesters as divided between “ringleaders” and “foot soldiers.”
Many ringleaders, he said, had been arrested and admitted to being paid and trained on how to attack centers, mobilize youth, and carry out violent actions. The majority of protesters, he noted, were “emotional young people,” whom authorities had less concern about.
Khamenei cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments during the unrest as evidence of foreign involvement, saying Trump encouraged protesters while ignoring the millions of Iranians who rallied peacefully across the country on January 12. He explained that Iran’s independent path and resistance to global powers’ interests have fueled long-term hostility.
He warned that, as with past unrest, this would not be the last incident and similar events could occur in the future. He stressed that such hostility will continue until Iran’s people maintain stability, resilience, and control, which will ultimately frustrate the enemies.
Referring to past incidents, including the 1981 attacks by the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) on Basij members, Khamenei said foreign hands—particularly from the U.S. and Israel—are evident in all such events.
Buses that were burned during Iran’s protests, in Tehran, Iran, January 21, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
He praised Iranian security forces, the Basij, the IRGC, and other agencies for fulfilling their duties, while emphasizing that the decisive factor in quelling unrest has always been the people’s intervention in the streets.
Khamenei detailed the characteristics of the recent unrest, noting that organizers hid behind legitimate market protests with genuine grievances, similar to criminals using civilians as shields. Observant market participants separated themselves from violent elements.
He described the unrest as quasi-coup in nature, targeting police, IRGC centers, government offices, banks, mosques, and religious texts. He also said the unrest was planned abroad, with ringleaders guided using satellite intelligence and other resources, and that U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies were fully involved.
Ringleaders were instructed to provoke deaths by attacking security and military centers with advanced weapons, even targeting their own foot soldiers. Khamenei expressed sorrow over the young lives lost and noted that enemies tried to exaggerate casualty numbers.
He said the main goal of the unrest was to undermine national security, which is essential for daily life, production, education, research, and progress. He praised the Iranian people for demonstrating unity on January 12, countering efforts to turn citizens against the system, and stressed that officials must value this support.
He added that the unrest coincided with government planning for economic policy, suggesting it was timed to create disruption. Khamenei compared the violence to ISIS, noting that perpetrators employed brutal tactics similar to those used by ISIS—killing people for their faith, setting them on fire, and beheading them—but targeting religious citizens rather than extremists.
