We will find out if he is right’ – Trump hits back at Iran supreme leader’s war threat

Donald Trump has responded to a warning from Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who cautioned that any US attack on Iranian soil would ignite a regional war.

Khamenei issued his strongest warning yet to the United States during a speech at his compound in Tehran, as Iran marked the beginning of commemorations for the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The 86-year-old leader spoke amid heightened tensions following the deployment of the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Arabian Sea, a move ordered by Trump during Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests.

During his address, Khamenei accused the United States of pursuing Iran’s natural resources, including oil and gas, claiming Washington sought to “seize this country, just as they controlled it before.” He warned: “The Americans must be aware that if they wage a war this time, it will be a regional war.”

Asked about the remarks, Trump told reporters on Sunday, February 1, that the United States had positioned significant military power in the region.

“The US has the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, a couple of days, and hopefully we’ll make a deal,” he said. “If we don’t make a deal, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.”

Khamenei insisted Iran would not initiate conflict but warned of retaliation if attacked. “We are not the instigators, we are not going to be unfair to anyone, we don’t plan to attack any country,” he said. “But if anyone shows greed and wants to attack or harass, the Iranian nation will deal a heavy blow to them.”

The supreme leader also hardened his stance on the protests that have shaken the country, after previously acknowledging that some demonstrators had legitimate economic grievances.

The demonstrations began on December 28, initially sparked by the collapse of Iran’s rial currency, before escalating into direct opposition to Khamenei’s rule. “The recent sedition was similar to a coup. Of course, the coup was suppressed,” he said.

“Their goal was to destroy sensitive and effective centers involved in running the country, and for this reason they attacked the police, government centers, (Revolutionary Guard) facilities, banks and mosques,  and burned copies of the Quran. They targeted centers that run the country.”

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which relies on sources inside Iran, reports that more than 49,500 people have been detained during the crackdown.

The organisation says at least 6,713 people have been killed, the vast majority of them demonstrators.

Iran’s government has disputed those figures, putting the death toll at 3,117 as of January 21, saying 2,427 were civilians and security personnel and describing the remainder as “terrorists.”

Iran’s leadership has previously been accused of undercounting or failing to report fatalities linked to civil unrest.

The reported death toll is higher than any other episode of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and evokes memories of the turmoil surrounding the 1979 revolution.

Trump has outlined two red lines that could trigger US military action: the killing of peaceful protesters and the potential mass execution of detainees arrested during the demonstrations.

He has also increasingly referenced Iran’s nuclear programme, an issue previously negotiated between Washington and Tehran, before Israel launched a 12-day conflict with Iran in June.

Amid the international pressure, Iranian authorities appeared to step back from executing some detainees. Human rights activist Erfan Soltani, 26, who had been scheduled to be executed by hanging for protesting, was released on bail on Saturday, according to human rights organisation Hengaw.

His release came after Trump warned of military consequences if Iran carried out executions linked to the protests.