Iran warns of unfettered retaliation if attacked as mediators try for peace

What the report says

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has told military commanders that any response to a renewed attack would not be limited by geography, according to a statement from his office cited by Al Jazeera. The remarks came as Qatari diplomats held talks in Tehran on Friday, with more discussion expected, in an effort to prevent another war between Iran and the United States.

Al Jazeera reported that Iranian officials say they are preparing for the possibility of fresh strikes by the US and Israel. The article said Khamenei called for “maximum deterrence” and an immediate response if Iran is attacked again. It also described wider exchanges of threats between Iranian and US officials, including references to nuclear demands, maritime restrictions and the future of Iran’s enriched uranium.

The mediation effort comes amid tense negotiations over sanctions relief, regional conflicts and the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which significant energy traffic passes. Iranian media have suggested a possible reopening of the strait has been discussed as part of a broader settlement, though details remain unclear.

The article also noted reports of recent maritime incidents in the region and warnings from Iranian and US figures about escalation. More broadly, the piece places the statements in the context of months of war and rising regional pressure, underscoring how any breakdown in talks could affect shipping, energy flows and security across the Middle East.