Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said any new US or Israeli assault will be responded to immediately and without geographical constraint, as Tehran indicated progress in diplomatic negotiations over reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Any “attack of any kind and the slightest threat must be answered immediately with a strong and strong response without borders,” Khamenei said, as cited by the government news agency IRNA on Saturday.
His warning came after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had agreed with Qatari mediators on a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in two days provided Washington would meet Tehran’s demands.
Araghchi said the proposal shortened the implementation period from five days to two following consultations with Qatar, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
Iran’s demands include lifting US sanctions, ending the blockade of Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian assets and reducing American military forces in the region.
Regional officials and Iranian representatives met again in Doha Sunday for talks mediated by Qatar but a final conclusion was yet to be reached, Reuters reported.
These reports follow increased tensions after the US and Israeli military intervention against Iran and fears of global oil disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping passage.
