Iran's leader says response to attack would have no 'geographic limits,' and other Mideast news

Iran's supreme leader threatened an immediate response to a potential attack — one without “geographic limits” — as diplomatic efforts continue in an effort to avoid a return to all-out war. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister said a proposal has been reached that would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz in just two days. And Iran's security chief says the U.S. tone has “completely changed” in a good way. Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Saturday.

Read our full coverage here. Khamenei says ‘any kind’ of threat should get immediate response Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said that “any kind and level of threat” from the U.S. or Israel should face an immediate response, one without geographic limits, the official IRNA news agency reported. State media said that Khamenei, who hasn't been seen publicly since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, made the comments while meeting with military chiefs.

He also called for an updated list of potential U.S. and Israeli targets. Khamenei became supreme leader after the opening strikes killed his father. He has met with a series of senior officials in recent weeks, according to state media. Iran's top diplomat says proposal could reopen strait in 2 days Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that a new proposal has been reached with mediators that would shorten the time to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to two days.

He said that Iranian diplomats were in Qatar for discussions. Araghchi last month proposed reopening the 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 said that Iran isn't planning to meet with U.S. officials, but called recent U.S. efforts toward “broader dialogue” a positive step.

Araghchi said a decision on whether negotiations will be direct or indirect would be made “once Washington agrees to Iran’s conditions." Iran’s security chief says US tone has changed The head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said “the tone has completely changed" from the U.S. and called it a “very good sign.” Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei told state television that he hasn't responded to the letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and gave no details about it.

Rezaei singled out an important change to one of Iran's conditions: Ships on a reopened Strait of Hormuz would have to travel on a route agreed upon by Iran and Oman. And “everyone passing through this waterway will do so under Iranian management.” He said that Iran awaits the latest U.S. response. Separately, Rezaei warned on X that any attack would bring “devastating blows on the aggressor using new weapons.” Rezaei, who state media this past week said has met with Iran’s supreme leader, also said that there has been no decision to change Iran’s nuclear doctrine, but noted that some Iranians have questioned whether that should change if Iran is attacked again.

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. UN says staffer dies in Houthi custody in Yemen U.N. rights chief Volker Türk urged Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels to investigate the death in custody of a staff member of the U.N. Human Rights Office there. Mohammad al-Shami, a Yemeni national, was detained in June 2024. Türk said that al-Shami’s family was only recently informed that he died more than a month ago and wasn’t given a cause of death.

Türk said that he remains concerned for other U.N. personnel who remain detained, including seven colleagues from his office. The Houthis have claimed without evidence that detained U.N. staffers and those working with other international groups and foreign embassies in rebel-held areas were spies. The U.N. has denied the accusation. Israelis rally for Arab-Jewish coalition for new government Thousands rallied in Tel Aviv in support of forming an Arab-Jewish coalition in the new Israeli government after Tuesday's elections.

Arab-led parties had a historic showing, winning 19 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset. “An Arab-Jewish government is not only what we want, it’s a necessity in this country,” said one attendee, Shahd Bishara. Arab citizens make up 20% of Israel's population but have long faced discrimination. Right-wing activists also showed up waving flags with photos of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose reliance on far-right allies to stay in power has angered many Israelis.

Syria says high-level meeting expected after Jordan tensions Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said a high-level meeting is expected next month to discuss border security arrangements with Jordan, after Jordanian strikes in Syria last week raised tensions. Jordan said that the strikes killed 20 militants with the Islamic State extremist group, but acknowledged that civilians also had been killed. Syrian authorities reported seven people killed, most of them women and children.

Separately, al-Shibani said that Syria is in discussions to evaluate joining the Mecca Pact, the Saudi-led defense alliance that includes Turkey and Pakistan. ___ This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.