Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned the United States and Israel on Saturday that any new attack would meet an immediate response without geographical limits, according to France 24. The warning came as Trump reportedly weighs fresh strikes on Iran, with possible action after the US midterm elections on Tuesday.
Khamenei told top military commanders that any threat must be met with an immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response, France 24 reported. He also ordered commanders to update Iran’s target list to include all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to what he called the "American-Zionist enemy."
Axios reported that the meeting was the first publicly disclosed meeting between Khamenei and Iran’s top military commanders since the war began. The account of the meeting and its statement relies on a statement from Khamenei’s office, and it has not been independently confirmed.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had not yet made a decision about fresh strikes on Iran, according to France 24. The same outlet reported that Trump had said he was weighing whether to finish Iran off. Trump’s own comments on the decision are not directly quoted in current reporting beyond his earlier remarks.
The current escalation follows a war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the father of Mojtaba Khamenei, was killed in those strikes, and Mojtaba Khamenei took over in March.
Tehran has also restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait normally carries around one-fifth of global oil consumption, and the restrictions have caused a spike in global energy prices.
Diplomacy has continued alongside the military tensions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there are currently no plans for meetings with American officials, according to France 24, while mediation via Qatar continues. Qatar and Pakistan have been mediating, but the talks have not produced a lasting agreement.
US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, and Araghchi confirmed receiving it, France 24 reported. The letter is aimed at reviving talks, though no agreement has yet resulted.
Several points remain unresolved. The sources do not include an Israeli government response to Iran’s warning. Israel has held a vote but has not formed a new government. Japan Times and Axios were available only as a headline and short excerpt, so their details could not be verified in full, and the key account of the Khamenei meeting depends on a statement from his office.
Trump’s decision on new strikes is expected after the US midterm elections on Tuesday. Qatari and Pakistani mediation and the Vance letter are meant to revive negotiations. Israel’s new government remains unformed, and the country’s position on Iran’s warning has not been reported.
Sources
This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.