US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he “hopefully” expects the United States to reach a deal with Iran, after the country’s supreme leader warned that any American attack would trigger a wider regional conflict.
Speaking to reporters, Trump appeared dismissive when asked about remarks made by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “Why wouldn’t he say that? Of course, he could say that,” Trump said.
“We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, a couple of days. Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll find out whether or not he was right.”
Khamenei Warns of Regional War
Ayatollah Khamenei responded by warning that a US attack would not be contained. In comments reported by Iranian state media, he said: “America should know that if it starts a war, this time it will be a regional war.”
“These threats are nothing new. In the past as well, American officials repeatedly talked about war and said that all options were on the table including war.”
Referring to US military deployments, he added: “Now this man [Trump] too, keeps claiming that they have brought aircraft carriers and warplanes. The Iranian people should not and will not be frightened by such things.”
“We are not the ones who start a war and we do not want to attack any country, but if America attacks or harms Iran the Iranian nation will deliver a strong blow and any war started by America will spread across the region.”
US Military Presence
Trump reiterated that US naval forces were moving closer to Iran but declined to say what action he might take. Asked on board Air Force One about his “final decision” on Iran during a flight to Florida on Saturday night, he said: “I certainly can’t tell you that, but we do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction, as you know.”
“I can’t tell you, you know. But I hope they negotiate something that’s acceptable.”
When asked whether Iran might be emboldened if the US backed off, Trump said: “Well, some people think that and some people don’t.”
“And if you could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons they should do that. But I don’t know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us.”
Iran’s regular army commander-in-chief, General Amir Hatami, responded with a warning of his own.
“Thanks Allah today we are at a high level of military and defensive readiness,” he said. “We are closely watching enemies’ movement in the region.”
“They are under complete surveillance by us. And since we are aware of their evil intentions, our fingers are on the trigger.”
“If they make a mistake, without doubt they will endanger their security, the security of their forces, the security of the region, and the security of the criminal Zionist regime.”
Tensions Rise in Iran
In Iran’s parliament, the speaker told lawmakers that European Union military forces were now considered terrorist groups by the Islamic republic.
The remarks followed the EU’s decision to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, citing its violent crackdown on protesters.
However, some Iranian officials struck a more conciliatory note. Ali Larijani, a senior security figure, wrote on X that “structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing”.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who is 86, has repeatedly ruled out direct talks with the United States.
Explosions Hit Iran
The heightened tensions came as Iran reported two explosions on Saturday. The government denied that a military leader had been targeted.
One blast occurred at the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, killing a four-year-old girl and injuring 14 others.
A second explosion, more than 1,000 kilometres away in the city of Ahvaz, killed five people, according to state media.
