Khamenei Warns US of ‘Regional War’ Amid Rising Tensions

Iran’s supreme leader issues stark threat as protests continue and Washington steps up pressure

February 1, 2026: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a rare public appearance on Saturday, visiting the shrine of Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini in southern Tehran, as tensions with the United States escalated. A day later, Khamenei issued a blunt warning to Washington, cautioning that any military action against Iran would spark a wider regional conflict. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” he said, dismissing US military posturing and asserting that Iran would not be intimidated by threats or displays of force.

Addressing the ongoing unrest at home, Khamenei described the protests that erupted in December as a “coup” and “sedition” aimed at weakening Iran’s governing system. The demonstrations have been driven by economic hardship and worsening living conditions, though the leadership has portrayed them as externally fuelled efforts to destabilise the country. The supreme leader’s remarks come amid mounting domestic pressure and heightened international scrutiny over Tehran’s response to the unrest.

Khamenei’s comments followed statements by US President Donald Trump, who said negotiations with Iran were underway but warned of consequences if violence against protesters escalated. Speculation of a possible military confrontation has intensified after the US deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and additional warships to the Arabian Sea. While Iran’s official figures put the protest-related death toll at 3,117, US-based rights group HRANA claims more than 6,700 deaths, underscoring sharply contested narratives as tensions continue to rise.