Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a grave warning to the United States and Israel, cautioning them against any potential military actions that could escalate tensions further. This statement comes in the wake of threats from these nations regarding possible strikes against Iran, which has been embroiled in conflict since the onset of the Middle East war in February.

In a written statement released on Saturday, Khamenei emphasized that should the enemies decide to launch military or terrorist attacks again, it would be up to the Iranian armed forces and the nation to dictate the terms of their response. This warning was made during a significant meeting with top military commanders, including Ali Abdollahi, the armed forces chief of staff, Amir Hatami, the army chief, and Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards. Notably, this was the first publicized meeting of Khamenei with these senior military figures since he assumed leadership after the death of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli strikes earlier this year.

Khamenei's statement highlighted a directive to military leaders to ensure that any threats, regardless of their nature, are met with an immediate and powerful response. He further instructed them to revise Iran’s target list to encompass all assets belonging to what he referred to as the "American-Zionist enemy," indicating a broadening of Iran's military focus in the region.

The backdrop to this warning includes ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a resurgence of hostilities. A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday to engage in discussions with Iranian officials. This diplomatic initiative follows a letter reportedly sent by US Vice President JD Vance, which Iran has yet to respond to, raising questions about the future of US-Iran relations amid the escalating conflict.

Since the war erupted on February 28, following US-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, Iran has retaliated with attacks on various countries in the region. The current climate remains tense as both military posturing and diplomatic maneuvers unfold, with Khamenei's statements underscoring the high stakes involved in the ongoing conflict.