Iran’s Supreme Leader warns US and Israel against new attacks

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned the United States and Israel against resuming military attacks, saying Iran would determine the terms for ending any renewed conflict. The warning appeared in a written statement attributed to Khamenei and published on his website on Saturday, following threats of further strikes against the Islamic republic.

“If the enemies once again launch military or terrorist attacks, it is the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation that will determine the time and conditions for ending them,” the statement said. The remarks were issued during a reported meeting with senior military commanders, including armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, army chief Amir Hatami and Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi.

It was the first reported meeting between Khamenei and the commanders since he became supreme leader. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes at the beginning of the Middle East war in February.

According to the statement, the supreme leader instructed military commanders to prepare for an immediate response to any new threat. “Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response,” it said.

The statement also said Khamenei directed the commanders to update Iran’s target list to include “all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the American-Zionist enemy”. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on countries across the region.

The latest warning came as diplomatic efforts continued to prevent a resumption of fighting. A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday, October 30, for discussions with Iranian officials, following reports that Iran had received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance. Iranian media reported that Tehran had not yet responded to the letter.