TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any new U.S. attack on Iran would escalate into a “regional war.”

“Americans must know that if they initiate another war, it will be a regional war,” Ayatollah Khamenei said on Sunday, addressing a large gathering marking the anniversary of Imam Khomeini’s return to Iran on February 12, 1979, after 15 years in exile.

In June 2025, Israel and the United States initiated a 12-day military campaign against Iran. Utilizing U.S. logistical and intelligence frameworks, the operation culminated in B-2 bombers targeting Iran’s primary nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. 

More recently, the United States has intensified its military presence near Iran, signaling the potential for further strikes.