1 US Strike, 1 Regional War? Iran Issues Stark Warning

WAR-REPORT: Iran’s leadership has issued strong warnings that any military strike by the United States would not be confined to Iran but would ignite a broader conflict across the region. On February 1, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran would treat an attack as the beginning of a “regional war,” asserting that the consequences would extend far beyond Iranian territory.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also emphasized that military confrontation would be disastrous, and warned that Iran could threaten U.S. bases and interests throughout the area if hostilities begin. At the same time, he expressed confidence that a negotiated settlement remains possible if trust can be rebuilt between Tehran and Washington.

These statements come amid heavy U.S. military deployments in the Middle East and intense media coverage suggesting Washington wants to avoid a wider war. Iranian officials appear to be using public warnings about escalation as part of a broader strategy to deter a U.S. strike by underscoring the potential costs of direct conflict.

Regional Diplomacy Intensifies to Prevent War
Iranian officials are also engaging in diplomatic discussions with neighboring and regional states in parallel with the public rhetoric. On January 31, Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, met Iranian leaders including national security head Ali Larijani in Tehran, with a focus on reducing tensions and promoting regional stability. Doha has been actively coordinating with other regional capitals to keep channels open and avert escalation.

Separately, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reaffirming Cairo’s efforts to facilitate renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington as a way to ease fears of a wider conflict. Egypt has repeatedly called for reinvigorated talks on nuclear and security issues to avert war.

Meanwhile, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar are reported to be working together to organize talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Ankara this week, with the aim of de-escalating tensions and building momentum toward diplomatic engagement.

Concerns Over Iran’s Missile Capabilities and Regional Security
Western and Gulf officials have warned that Iran’s missile capabilities remain significant despite damage sustained during previous conflicts. Assessments indicate that Tehran still has operational short-range ballistic missiles and launch systems, and that production and deployment have continued. Some equipment has reportedly been moved to more protected terrain to reduce vulnerability. These capabilities could pose a serious threat to U.S. forces and bases across the region should conflict break out.

Gulf allies have been outspoken about the danger of escalation, urging Washington and Tehran to pursue diplomatic solutions to avoid a war that would severely undermine regional stability.