Trump-Iran latest: US president hopeful of Tehran deal even as Khamenei warns of ‘regional war’
Donald Trump said he hoped to reach a deal with Iran even as tensions escalated after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack would trigger a “regional war”.
“We are not the ones who start a war and we do not want to attack any country,” Iran’s supreme leader said, according to state media. “But if America attacks or harms Iran, the Iranian nation will deliver a strong blow, and any war started by America will spread across the region.”
While both sides have signalled that they are ready to resume talks, the US president has still declined to say if he has made his “final decision” on whether or not he will use force against Iran.
He has repeatedly threatened military intervention, urging Tehran to stop killing protestors in its deadly crackdown and agree to a deal without nuclear weapons.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said: “Hopefully, we’ll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that’s good. If we don’t make a deal, we’ll see what happens.”
