Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced the country's readiness to respond in kind to any threats or aggressive actions by the United States. He said this at a meeting with the Iranian Air Force and Air Defense Command, stressing that Tehran does not intend to leave Washington's hostile moves unanswered.

"The Americans express their views on us, threaten us. If they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they carry out this threat, we will reciprocate. If they encroach on the security of our country, we will not hesitate to do the same.", Khamenei said.

The comments come amid worsening tensions between Iran and the United States, fueled by a number of factors, including sanctions pressure, disagreements over Tehran’s nuclear program, and regional conflicts. In recent weeks, U.S. officials have repeatedly expressed concern about Iran’s activities in the Middle East and its nuclear developments, prompting a response from the Iranian leadership.

Earlier, in January 2025, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed that Tehran was ready for dialogue with Washington, but would not accept pressure or threats. He noted that Iran seeks stability in the region and expects the United States to respect its sovereignty and interests.

Meanwhile, analysts note that such statements by Khamenei reflect Iran's determination to defend its national interests and demonstrate readiness to escalate in the event of aggressive actions by the United States. However, they also point to the possibility of a diplomatic settlement if both sides show readiness for constructive dialogue.