Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly warned the United States and Israel on Saturday against a resumption of war, according to a written statement, following threats from Tehran’s enemies of a possible resumption of strikes, which, according to a report, could occur as early as November 4, the day after the American midterms.
“If the enemies launch military or terrorist attacks again, it is the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation that will determine the time and conditions to end them,” according to a statement attributed to Khamenei posted on his website.
The remarks were made during a meeting between Khamenei and top military commanders, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi, Army Chief Amir Hatami and Revolutionary Guards Commander Ahmad Vahidi. This was the first reported meeting between them.
Khamenei has not been seen publicly since becoming supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in the first strikes of the war on February 28. The younger Khamenei was reportedly injured in a US-Israeli strike on the same day his father was killed.
According to the statement, Khamenei ordered commanders to ensure that “any level or type of threat is responded to immediately, impactfully and without geographic restriction.”
It also says Khamenei ordered commanders to update Iran’s target list to include “all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the US-Zionist enemy.”
Iran has launched thousands of drones and missiles during this year’s war, targeting Israel, US bases in the region, as well as energy sites across the Middle East. It also successfully fired a missile at Diego Garcia Air Base, located about 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away in the southern Indian Ocean, demonstrating its ability to fire on almost anywhere in Europe.
Israeli officials have repeatedly warned of the Iranian threat to Europe, and several European countries have said they believe Iran is behind a series of attacks and plots against Jewish targets across the continent.
These threats were joined by Iran’s armed forces, which warned on Saturday that any new US attacks would only expand their war.
“If the US president once again embarks on regional adventurism under pressure from the Zionists and with the aim of appeasing them, the flames of war will undoubtedly engulf a much larger geographic area,” Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said in a message on X, without elaborating.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also warned on Saturday that “Iran’s powerful armed forces will attack those who dare to harm our people.”
These statements come as new diplomatic efforts are underway to avoid a resumption of fighting.
A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday for talks with Iranian officials, after Iran reportedly received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance.
According to Iranian media, Tehran has not yet responded to this letter.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said he was “extremely concerned” that a further escalation of the US-Iran war would be more destructive and have a major impact, during the IISS Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain.
Report: US warns Gulf of possible Iranian strikes as early as November 4
Along with the negotiations, Washington warned Gulf allies to prepare for a possible new round of strikes against Iran as soon as November 4, a day after the US midterm elections, MSNOW reported on Saturday, citing three senior Gulf Arab officials familiar with the discussions.
The strikes are expected to be brief but intense, according to the officials, who said Gulf states were pressuring Washington to de-escalate, fearing Iranian retaliation.
One official said they “would not be surprised” if some Gulf countries objected to the use of US military bases on their territory to launch attacks.
The United States has not struck Iran since September 1, while US President Donald Trump has pledged to refrain from any further attacks until after the midterms.
Asked about the reported plans, a White House official told MSNOW that “we do not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist,” adding that Trump is “keeping all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
“He is obsessed with Iran not getting a nuclear weapon,” a former Trump administration official familiar with White House foreign policy deliberations told the outlet. “He is convinced that with this final attack we can reach an agreement with the Iranians, or we can finally destroy their nuclear program.”
Meanwhile, Iran said two fishermen who went missing on Saturday had been found, following what it called a US attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Two fishermen from Qeshm, missing following an attack by the American enemy on their fishing boat this morning, have been found,” state television said.
Earlier, state television quoted a provincial official as saying two fishermen were missing and two others were injured in what it said was a U.S. attack on their vessel in the crucial Hormuz waterway.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) did not immediately comment on the reported strike. The White House and Pentagon also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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