U.S. aggression against Iran sure to turn into regional conflict -  Iranian leader 

ArmInfo.  Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has warned that if the United States were to initiate a war, it would turn into a  regional conflict, IRNA reports. 

Speaking at a meeting with a large gathering of people in Tehran on  Sunday, on the eve of the 47th anniversary of the victory of the  Islamic Revolution and the anniversary of the return of the founder  of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini to Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei  addressed recent US threats.

He said the fact that Americans sometimes talk about war and speak of  aircraft, warships and the like is nothing new. In the past as well,  Americans repeatedly issued threats in their statements and said that  all options were on the table, including the option of war.

Referring to US President Donald Trump, Ayatollah Khamenei said that  now this man also keeps claiming that they have brought in warships  and the like. The Iranian nation must not be frightened by such  things; the people of Iran are not influenced by these threats.

He emphasized that we (Iranians) are not the initiators, and we do  not seek to attack any country but will deliver a firm punch to  anyone who attacks or harasses it.

Of course, the Americans should know that if they start a war, this  time the war will be a regional one, the Leader concluded.

The Leader noted that Iran possesses many valuable assets, including  its oil, gas, rich mines, and strategic location, and that such  wealth and importance attract the greedy eyes of covetous powers, who  have long sought to dominate the country.

According to Ayatollah Khamenei, for over thirty years, the Americans  had controlled Iran's resources, oil, politics, security, and foreign  relations, acting as they pleased. Their influence has now been cut  off, yet they aim to return to the Pahlavi-era status. But the  Iranian people stand firm, blocking them. That is the real conflict.  Claims about human rights and other pretexts are nothing but empty  words.

They remain covetous, yet Iran stands firm and will continue to do  so. By God's grace, the Iranian nation will thwart their malicious  intentions and hostile measures, the Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said the anniversary of Imam Khomeini's  return to Iran laid the foundation for the Islamic Revolution's  victory on February 11, the establishment of the Islamic Republic,  and all subsequent national achievements, adding that the blessings  of that historic day continue.

He described recent unrest in Iran as a foreign-backed plot with US  and Israeli roots, saying the organizers were trained and funded from  abroad, while some participants were misguided youths. Ayatollah  Khamenei cited public rallies as proof of popular support for the  Islamic Republic and rejected Western human rights claims as  pretexts.

He said hostility toward Iran stems from its independent path and  resistance to global powers, warning such plots may recur. Stressing  that security is essential for progress, he credited public  participation with neutralizing unrest. Ayatollah Khamenei said  Iran's resources and strategic position fuel foreign ambitions, but  emphasized that the Iranian nation will remain steadfast and deter  any aggression.

On December 28 of last year, protests erupted in Iran over the  collapse of the national currency amid renewed Western sanctions.  These protests escalated into mass unrest that lasted more than two  weeks. According to various reports, over three thousand people,  including law enforcement officers, were killed in the unrest.