Iran's Supreme Leader Warns of 'Regional War' If Attacked by US

Tehran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any attack on his country would result in a 'regional war,' issuing a stern warning to the United States. The 86-year-old Khamenei delivered this warning during an event in Tehran as US President Donald Trump was increasing military presence in the Middle East.

Addressing a gathering commemorating the historic day of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's return from exile in 1979, he accused the US of wanting to seize Iran's oil and natural gas resources. Khamenei labeled the recent anti-government protests in Iran as an attempted 'coup' and 'treason.' He claimed that the protesters sought to destabilize the country by attacking banks, mosques, and government offices.

Following Khamenei's warning, US President Trump reacted by stating he hoped for a deal with Iran. He told reporters, 'Let's hope we have a deal. If we don't have a deal, we will later find out how correct Khamenei's warning was.'

Damage and Disputed Figures in Protests: The nationwide protests began on December 28 last year against economic recession, corruption, and inflation. According to the United Nations and international human rights groups, thousands of people have lost their lives due to the crackdown by security forces. A special UN report estimated the death toll could exceed 20,000, while some rights organizations claimed more than 6,700 deaths.

However, Iranian officials have consistently stated that 'terrorists' sponsored by the US and Israel are responsible for these killings. Iranian media reported 3,117 deaths, most of whom were civilians.

Although President Masoud Pezeshkian assured that the true details of those killed in the protests would be made public, no timeline has been announced yet. Meanwhile, ordinary Iranian citizens have expressed distrust in the government's claims, stating the country is in mourning.