Threatening the USA with war: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Image: keystone
02/01/2026, 10:09Feb 1, 2026, 12:05 p.m
Amid growing war concerns, Iran’s supreme leader has warned of regional escalation in the event of a US attack. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a speech quoted by state broadcaster.
Iran does not want war and will not start one, said the religious leader, who has the final say on all strategic matters. “But the Iranian people will deal a severe blow to anyone who attacks or causes harm.”
Concerns about a new war had recently grown again. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened the government in Tehran with military strikes, including because of the brutal crackdown by state repressive forces against demonstrators during the recent mass protests. There has been talk of new negotiations for a few days now.
Qatar as a mediator between Tehran and Washington?
Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in the Iranian capital late on Saturday evening. There he met his colleague Abbas Araghchi and the Secretary General of the Security Council, Ali Larijani, who is considered a close confidant of Khamenei.
Qatar maintains good relations with both the Islamic Republic and Washington. The small Gulf state had already mediated between the two countries in the past. The visit, which lasted just a few hours, sparked speculation about an important message that Al Thani may have brought to Iran – possibly from the United States.
Trump increases pressure
Trump had recently increased the pressure on Tehran. There are more warships on the way to Iran – “and hopefully we will make a deal,” said the US President in the White House. On a flight to Florida, he told reporters: “I hope they negotiate something that is acceptable.” In addition to stopping Iran’s controversial nuclear program, this should also involve limiting the development of ballistic missiles in Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that his country was ready for both negotiations and war. However, defense strategies and missile systems would never be subject to negotiations. For the political leadership in Tehran, defense issues have long been seen as a red line in negotiations.
Revolutionary Guards plan naval maneuvers
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy (IRGC) had actually planned a naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman for this Sunday. There were no reports of this for the time being. Iranian media initially reported that Russia and China would also take part in the military exercise in the waters on the southern coast. On Saturday it was said that the maneuver with the allies would take place in the coming weeks. It remained unclear whether this also postponed the IRGC maneuver.
An explosion in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday sparked speculation about an attempted assassination attempt on naval commander Aliresa Tangsiri. State media denied this. It was said that two people were killed and 13 were injured in the explosion caused by a gas leak.
Parliament reacts to EU decision on Revolutionary Guards
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament reacted to the recent EU decision to classify the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. From now on, “the armies of European countries are considered terrorist groups,” as Parliament President Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf said. From the Iranian perspective, the Bundeswehr is also a terrorist organization.
“Europe wants to satisfy its master, namely America, with these measures,” Ghalibaf said, according to the Iranian news agency Isna. In parliament, MPs wore Revolutionary Guard uniforms in solidarity. Some politicians shouted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” with their fists raised, as can be seen in videos from Iranian media.
EU puts Revolutionary Guards on terror list because of repression
The European Union decided on Thursday to classify the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization because of their bloody crackdown on recent mass protests. The decision is seen as a symbolic step that is likely to have little practical significance due to existing sanctions. Listing the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization has been discussed in the EU for years.
The Revolutionary Guards were once founded to prevent a possible coup in the Islamic Republic. The Basij Forces, a paramilitary organization under their command, play a key role in suppressing protests. Thousands of people were killed in demonstrations against Iran’s authoritarian rule in early January.
Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday described the recent mass protests as an “attempted coup.” “Their goal was to destroy sensitive and effective centers of state administration,” said Khamenei. (sda/dpa)
Massacre in Iranian city of Rasht – Washington Post reconstructs events with eyewitness videos
Video: Watson/Lucas Zollinger