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.

[This item is being updated.]