Iran’s leader says response to attack would have no ‘geographic limits’

Iran’s leader says response to attack would have no ‘geographic limits’

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Iran’s supreme leader has threatened an immediate response to a potential attack — one without “geographic limits” — as diplomatic efforts continue in an effort to reduce the threat of a return to all-out war.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said that “any kind and level of threat” from the U.S. or Israel should face a broad and swift response, the official IRNA news agency reported Saturday.

State media said that Khamenei, who still hasn’t been seen publicly since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, made the comments while meeting with the military. He also called for an updated list of potential U.S. and Israeli targets.

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu had both threatened to resume strikes on Iran after elections in their countries. Israel voted this past week, and the U.S. midterm elections are Tuesday.

Khamenei became supreme leader after the first wave of strikes killed his father and other high-ranking officials. He has been meeting with senior officials in recent weeks, according to state media.

Iran’s top diplomat, meanwhile, said that a proposal has been reached with mediators that would shorten to two days the time needed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iranian diplomats were in Qatar for discussions.

Last month, Araghchi floated a proposal to reopen the critical waterway within a week if the U.S. agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, among other conditions. That was rejected.

In an interview with Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Araghchi also said that Iran isn’t planning to meet with U.S. officials, but said that recent American efforts toward “broader dialogue” are considered a positive step.

He said a decision on whether negotiations will be direct or indirect would be made “once Washington agrees to Iran’s conditions.”

The head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says he has not responded to a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, but that “the tone has completely changed.”

Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei in an interview with state television called the change a “very good sign.”

The comments came as urgent diplomatic efforts are said to continue in an effort to avoid a return to all-out war with the United States.

Rezaei, who state media this past week said has met with Khamenei, also said there has been no decision to change Iran’s nuclear doctrine.

Washington seeks to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Tehran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful and has wanted to discuss the issue later.