US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was hopeful of reaching a deal with Iran, even as the country’s supreme leader warned that any American military action would trigger a regional war.
Read More: Trump warns Iran over nuclear deal deadline
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated following Iran’s deadly crackdown on anti-government protests that peaked last month. In response, Trump has threatened military action and ordered the deployment of an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East.
Speaking on Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described the recent protests as a “coup” and warned that a US attack would result in a broader regional conflict. “The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” he said, urging Iranians not to be intimidated by US rhetoric.
Trump hopes for a deal with Iran, noting U.S. warships off its coast. Khamenei warned a US strike could spark regional war. Trump: Why not say that? We have the largest ships nearby. Hoping for a deal; if not, we’ll see who was right. pic.twitter.com/JfiKOK5pn1
— Med (@trampnewspro) February 1, 2026
Iran’s supreme leader warns any U.S. attack would spark ‘regional war’https://t.co/sNhqgg467s pic.twitter.com/mua0mfnUZF
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 2, 2026
#Trump Responds to Khamenei’s Warning of Regional War: “We’ll Find Out”
Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that his country hopes to reach an agreement with Iran, responding to warnings from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that any military strike… pic.twitter.com/IZ7eWs0yZT
— International Agency for Journalism AIJES (@aijesinfo) February 1, 2026
Asked about Khamenei’s comments, Trump dismissed the warning but left the door open for diplomacy. “Of course he is going to say that,” Trump told reporters. “Hopefully we’ll make a deal. If we don’t make a deal, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.”
Amid rising tensions, Iranian authorities released 26-year-old protester Erfan Soltani on bail, his lawyer said. Washington had warned that Soltani faced execution and threatened retaliation if any demonstrators were put to death. Tehran denied that he had ever been sentenced to death, saying the charges against him did not carry capital punishment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of possible “miscalculations” but said he believed Trump was “wise enough to make the correct decision”. He added that trust between Iran and the US had eroded, though regional countries were acting as intermediaries to revive dialogue.
Read More: Iran army chief warns US, Israel against attack
The unrest has resulted in disputed casualty figures. Iranian authorities say 3,117 people were killed, mostly security personnel and bystanders, while a US-based rights group reports more than 6,700 deaths, largely protesters.