Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a stern warning on Wednesday that any resumption of hostilities in the Middle East would escalate into a wider confrontation. His statement came amid escalating threats from the United States and Israel to launch new strikes against Iranian targets, signaling Tehran’s refusal to offer concessions to Washington.
In a written declaration released on Wednesday, Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized that deterrence can only be achieved by strengthening Iran’s military capabilities and maintaining national unity. He dismissed the idea that changes in US political leadership or administrative shifts could alter America’s hostility toward Iran, describing such beliefs as “serious errors.” The leader asserted that any move toward surrender would erase gains made through the sacrifices of the Iranian people and invite further pressure and escalation from the United States.
The statement coincided with nationwide protests across more than 900 locations in Iran, commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran. This event is annually observed as National Day for Confronting Global Arrogance. Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father Ali Khamenei in March following the latter’s assassination at the start of the conflict, has largely communicated through written messages since taking office, though his office recently confirmed meetings with political and military officials.
He criticized the reliance of some regional governments on external protection, arguing that developments in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have exposed the limits of American power. He highlighted the importance of reinforcing the “Resistance Front,” stretching from Palestine and Lebanon to Iraq and Yemen, viewing its cohesion as essential in countering US and Israeli influence. He claimed that American soft power is eroding, accelerating Washington’s decline in international standing.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials linked recent US midterm election results to a decline in public support for war. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament, stated that American voters sent a message rejecting war, driven by both conviction and economic concerns. He warned that ignoring this willful stance would result in a tougher Iranian position. Similarly, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i described Trump’s electoral performance as a political and military defeat.
President Donald Trump acknowledged that the Middle East conflict may have impacted Republican results but defended his military decisions. He noted that while a settlement might avoid full-scale war, the US remains ready to act if necessary. Recent US airstrikes targeted an air defense facility on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, with reports indicating five explosions. Trump described the operation as limited but identified other potential targets, including a suspected nuclear site at Kolang Mountain, which Iran denies exists.
