Iran would retaliate if U.S. attacked, Khamenei warns

Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning on Thursday, stating that Iran would respond to any future U.S. attack by launching strikes against American military bases across the Middle East.

This marks his first televised address since a ceasefire was established between Iran and Israel.

Khamenei, 86, emphasized that any aggression against Iran would come at a “great cost,” and highlighted Iran’s recent military action, noting that Tehran had targeted the largest U.S. military base in the region, located in Qatar, following U.S. involvement in Israeli strikes.

“The Islamic Republic has shown its strength by striking one of the key American bases in the region,” Khamenei stated.

His remarks were pre-recorded and broadcast on Iranian state television. In the video, he appeared from an undisclosed indoor location, sitting before a brown curtain, flanked by the Iranian flag and a portrait of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Tensions Rise Amid U.S.-Iran Standoff

Khamenei underscored Iran’s capability to target U.S. interests in the region, asserting, “The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to important American centers and can act against them whenever necessary is not a small matter — it is a significant incident that could happen again if attacked.”

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to questions about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, affirming on Wednesday that the U.S. would consider striking again if Iran managed to rebuild its nuclear enrichment program, with Trump replying simply, “Sure.”