Iran conflict: Is all-out war among Gulf nations US's endgame? Experts answer

In a move that has further escalated regional tensions, Ayatollah Mustafa Khamenei issued a direct and pointed warning to Israel and the United States, vowing that Iran will take decisive action to avenge those he termed "martyrs" and children killed in recent conflicts.

The statement, delivered with a mix of defiance and strategic posturing, underscores the deepening divide between Tehran and the West.

Addressing a domestic audience, Khamenei framed Iran's military stance as one of necessary justice. He explicitly stated that the Iranian government feels a religious and national obligation to respond to the loss of life attributed to American and Israeli military actions.

"We believe in friendship with our neighbours," Khamenei noted, attempting to reassure nearby Gulf states, "but Iran targets only military bases, and retaliation will inevitably continue."

Apart from the external threats, the Ayatollah spent a significant portion of his address dismissing reports of internal instability. He asserted that foreign efforts to destabilise the Islamic Republic from within have been unsuccessful.