If U.S. strikes Iran, ‘this time it is going to be a regional conflict’: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran’s supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday (February 1, 2026) warned that any U.S. strike on the nation would turn into a regional conflict whilst Tehran and Washington confirmed that talks are progressing between the 2 sides amid regional efforts to de-escalate tensions.

“The Individuals ought to know if they begin a conflict, this time it is going to be a regional conflict,” stated Mr. Khamenei whereas addressing a gathering at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Hussainiya, which is a part of the Workplace of the Supreme Chief. “We’re not the initiators of conflict. We don’t search to oppress anybody. We don’t search to assault any nation. Nonetheless, anybody who seeks to assault or trigger hurt will face a decisive blow from the Iranian nation,” stated Mr. Khamenei.

His feedback, which have been additionally posted on social media, got here at a time when the U.S. has despatched warships, fighter jets and an plane service to West Asia’s waters amid threats of a strike on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump stated final week that “time was operating our for Iran” to make a deal over its nuclear programme, including that “an enormous armada” was heading in the direction of Iran and that it was “prepared to make use of violence” if crucial.

Mr. Khamenei appeared to minimize Mr. Trump’s threats and U.S. troops mobilisation close to Iran’s shores. “That Individuals typically speak about conflict – saying we are going to include warships and plane – is nothing new. The Iranian nation shouldn’t be affected by such talks. They shouldn’t attempt to intimidate the Iranian nation with such issues,” he added.

Iranian officers in latest days had warned that any U.S. assault on Iran wouldn’t be a restricted conflict. However on the identical time, Tehran has additionally signalled that it was nonetheless open for diplomacy. Earlier on Sunday (February 1, 2026), Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council of Iran, stated talks have been progressing between the 2 sides. “Opposite to the hype of the contrived media conflict, structural preparations for negotiations are progressing,” Mr. Larijani, an influential determine in Tehran who met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on January 30, wrote on social media.

U.S. President Trump additionally confirmed that talks have been on. “They’re speaking to us. Significantly speaking to us,” Mr. Trump advised reporters in Washington on Sunday.

Regional international locations Oman, Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been pushing for a diplomatic resolution to the disaster. Turkey has said that it will not help any navy motion towards Iran. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, two American allies within the Persian Gulf, have dominated out letting their air area be used for a strike towards Iran. Qatar’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs stated in a press release that Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met Mr. Larijani in Tehran on Saturday (January 31, 2026) to debate “efforts to de-escalate tensions within the area”.

The Prime Minister reiterated Qatar’s “help for all efforts aimed toward lowering tensions and reaching peaceable options that improve safety and stability within the area”, the Ministry stated.

Iran’s Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was in Turkey to satisfy President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on January 29, stated Iran was open for a “truthful and equitable” nuclear deal.

“Iran has by no means sought nuclear weapons and is able to embrace a good and equitable nuclear deal that meets the reliable pursuits of our folks; this contains making certain ‘No Nuclear Weapons’ and guaranteeing the lifting of sanctions,” Mr. Araghchi wrote in social media after assembly Mr. Erdogan and Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan. “Iran at all times stands prepared to interact with regional states to guard peace and stability in our area and protect it from illegal aggression,” he added.