Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated, with US President Donald Trump expressing hope for an agreement with Iran in response to a warning from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that any attack on his country would ignite a “regional war.”
These developments follow threats made by Trump in recent weeks to launch military action against Tehran over the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on internal protests, which resulted in the killing of thousands of people. The United States has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East by deploying the “Abraham Lincoln” aircraft carrier, raising international and regional fears of a large-scale military confrontation.
In a direct warning, Khamenei stated, “The Americans must realize that if they start a war, it will be a regional war.” For his part, Trump commented on the warning by saying, “Of course, he would say that,” adding, “We hope to reach an agreement.” Trump’s remarks led to a drop in oil prices by more than 3% in Asian trading on Monday.
These developments coincide with intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that war is not in the interest of either party. Additionally, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, revealed that there has been “progress” toward potential negotiations with Washington following his meeting with the Qatari Foreign Minister in Tehran.
Domestically, Iranian authorities described the recent wave of protests as a “coup” attempt, asserting that security forces had countered it. The Iranian presidency officially announced that 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, most of whom were security personnel or “civilians killed by terrorists.” In contrast, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documented the killing of 6,842 people, mostly protesters, and noted that it is still investigating thousands of other cases.
In a related context, tensions have risen between Iran and the European Union after the EU designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a “terrorist organization” for its role in suppressing the protests. Tehran retaliated on Sunday, with the Iranian parliament designating the armies of European countries as “terrorist groups.”
The US-Iran tension is witnessing a new escalation, causing concern in the international community. While the United States strengthens its military presence in the region, warning of the repercussions of suppressing protests in Iran, Tehran responds with warnings of a full-scale regional war if it is attacked. This verbal and military confrontation comes amid the ongoing internal crisis in Iran, where thousands have been killed in recent protests.
Amid this escalation, diplomatic efforts are still underway behind the scenes, with regional parties like Qatar mediating to reduce tensions. While US President Donald Trump insists he hopes to reach a deal, the Iranian leadership stresses its readiness to respond forcefully to any aggression. The world is watching the developments of this complex issue with great concern, as it affects not only the security of the Middle East but also the stability of global energy markets.
According to multiple media sources.
