Imam Khamenei: If Americans Start a War This Time, It Will Be a Regional War
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Says US Seeks to “Swallow Iran,” but the Iranian Nation and Islamic Republic Block Its Ambitions
IRAN | PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has warned that any new military aggression initiated by the United States against Iran would not remain limited, but would inevitably escalate into a regional war.
The remarks were made on Sunday morning during a large public gathering at Imam Khomeini Hussainiya in Tehran, attended by thousands of people from various walks of life, marking the first day of the Ten Days of Fajr commemorations.
Regional Consequences of Any US Military Move
Addressing recent threats and military rhetoric from Washington, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that American officials should fully understand the consequences of their actions.
“Americans should know that if they start a war this time, this war will be a regional war,” he said.
The Leader stressed that such an outcome would be the direct result of US decisions and policies, not an Iranian choice.
Iran Will Not Initiate War, but Will Respond Decisively
Ayatollah Khamenei dismissed repeated US military threats as neither new nor intimidating, noting that similar rhetoric has been used for decades without effect.
“What you sometimes hear—talk of war, claims about coming with aircraft and ships—this is nothing new,” he said.
“In the past, the Americans repeatedly said that all options are on the table. ‘All options’ included the option of war. They always said this.”
He added that such statements have consistently failed to weaken Iran’s resolve or alter its strategic posture.
The Leader emphasized that Iran does not seek confrontation and will not be the initiator of any conflict.
“We are not the ones who start wars. We do not seek to wrong anyone. We do not want to attack any country,” he said.
However, he made clear that any act of aggression would be met with a firm response:
“In the face of anyone who harbors greed, seeks to attack, or intends to cause harm, the Iranian nation will deliver a strong blow.”
On the Real Cause of US Hostility Toward Iran
Ayatollah Khamenei identified what he described as the fundamental reason behind more than forty years of confrontation between Tehran and Washington.
“What is the issue between America and Iran? In my view, the issue can be summed up in two words: America wants to swallow Iran; the dignified Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic stand in the way.”
He stressed that Iran’s refusal to submit is the real source of American hostility.
To clarify his point, the Leader used a simple analogy, explaining that the conflict stems from Iran’s clear rejection of domination.
“It is like someone saying, ‘I came to propose and everything was settled, only two words remained.’ I say, ‘We want your daughter,’ and they say, ‘You dare not.’
Now the Iranian nation has said ‘You dare not.’ That is the issue.”
He added that Iran’s so-called “crime” is nothing more than refusing submission.
Iran’s Strategic Assets and America’s Push to Regain Pre-Revolutionary Control
Ayatollah Khamenei outlined the factors that make Iran a target for expansionist powers.
“Iran has many attractions: its oil, its gas, its rich mines, its strategic and geographical position, and many other characteristics,” he said.
He noted that such qualities naturally draw the attention of aggressive and expansionist powers seeking domination.
The Leader recalled the decades of American dominance over Iran before the Islamic Revolution, stating that Washington now seeks to restore that lost influence.
“For more than thirty years, the Americans were present in Iran. Resources were in their hands, oil was in their hands, politics was in their hands, security was in their hands, and Iran’s relations with the world were in their hands.”
He stressed that the Iranian nation decisively ended that era and will not allow its return.
“They want to go back to the conditions of the Pahlavi era. But the Iranian nation is standing firmly, chest forward, and preventing this.”
Political Use of Human Rights Claims and Iran’s Unwavering Resolve
Ayatollah Khamenei rejected American claims about human rights, describing them as empty slogans used to conceal real objectives.
“The rest of what they say—human rights and similar claims—are empty talk,” he said, adding that the real dispute is over Iran’s independence and sovereignty.
Concluding his remarks, the Leader reaffirmed Iran’s determination to resist pressure and intimidation.
“They have ambition. Iran is standing firm and will continue to stand firm, and God willing, will make the other side abandon its malice and harassment.” (PW)
Developing Story — Updates to follow