Khamenei warns renewed attacks would widen Iran war

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said those expecting the United States to change its policy toward Iran after the US midterm elections were “seriously mistaken,” and warned that renewed attacks would widen the war. In a written statement published on his website on Wednesday, Khamenei said neither shifts between political parties nor Iranian concessions would dissuade Washington from what he described as hostility toward Iran. His remarks followed the midterm elections, in which Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress, according to reports on the results. Khamenei said a repeated attack would make the conflict’s scope much wider. The warning came as diplomatic efforts were underway to reach an agreement and avert renewed fighting. US and Israeli leaders had recently threatened to resume attacks if negotiations failed, according to reports. The war began on February 28, and strikes at its outset killed Khamenei’s father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mojtaba Khamenei was named supreme leader in March and has communicated through written messages, rather than appearing publicly, according to reports. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with...