(AP)
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was “hopeful” Iran would “make a deal” with Washington, warning that if talks failed it would become clear whether Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was right in saying a conflict would turn into a “regional war.”Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said he preferred a diplomatic outcome but was prepared to use the military assets the United States has deployed in the region if a deal is not reached.“We have the biggest, most powerful ships in the world over there, very close, and in a couple of days, hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we don’t make a deal, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right,” Trump said.
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His comments came hours after Khamenei issued a series of statements on X, warning Washington against any military action.“The Americans should know if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei said, adding that Iran would not be intimidated by threats involving warships or aircraft.Also read | ‘This time, it will be a regional war’: Khamenei warns US’ Middle East allies“That Americans sometimes talk about war – saying we will come with warships and aircraft – is nothing new. The Iranian nation is not affected by such talk. They shouldn’t try to intimidate the Iranian nation with such things,” he added.Khamenei said Iran does not seek conflict but would respond forcefully to any aggression. “We are not the initiators of war. We do not seek to oppress anyone. We do not seek to attack any country. However, anyone who seeks to attack or cause harm will face a decisive blow from the Iranian nation,” he said.The Iranian leader accused the US of attempting to dominate Iran because of its strategic resources and geographic location. “What is the issue between the United States and Iran? The issue can be summed up in two words: The United States wants to devour Iran; the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic prevent this,” he said.“Iran possesses numerous attractions: Its oil, gas, rich minerals, and geographic location are attractive. The US wants to seize control of this country just as they controlled it before,” Khamenei added.Referring to past US influence in Iran, he said Washington was trying to regain control after losing its grip decades ago. “Iran possesses numerous attractions: Its oil, gas, rich minerals, and geographic location are attractive. The US wants to seize control of this country just as they controlled it before,” Khamenei added. “For more than 30 years, the Americans were present in Iran. Iran’s resources, oil, politics, and security were in their hands. Everything was in their hands. Now that their grip has been broken, they’re trying to find a way back. The Iranian nation stands firm, preventing it,” he said.As tensions escalated, a “massive Armada” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln began heading toward Iran. The warning followed Trump’s threats in response to Tehran’s crackdown on mass demonstrations that began in December over the high cost of living and later expanded into a broader anti-government movement. Khamenei described the protests as being orchestrated by the United States and Israel, calling them “riots.” Go to Source
