TEHRAN, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that if the United States starts a war against Iran, it will be regional.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei speaks during an address marking a religious holiday in Teheran, capital of Iran, on Jan. 17, 2026. (File photo: Xinhua)

He made the remarks at a meeting in Tehran as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington following the latter's military buildup in the West Asia region, reported the semi-official Fars news agency.

Khamenei said that Iran would not start a war and does not seek to attack any country, "but Iranian people will deliver a hard punch to those seeking to attack and harass them."

"The American should know that if a war is launched, this time, it will be a regional war," he emphasized.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that a "massive armada," led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, is heading towards Iran, warning that "time is running out" for Tehran to reach a deal with the United States.

In response, Iran's foreign minister said, "Our brave armed Forces are prepared ... to immediately and powerfully respond to any aggression."

Separately, Ali Shamkhani, senior advisor to Iran's top leader, said on Wednesday that any U.S. military action "from any source and at any level will be considered the start of a war, and its response will be immediate, all-out and unprecedented."

He added Iran's response would target "the aggressor, the heart of Tel Aviv, and all of the aggressor's supporters."