Iran Warns of Unrestricted Retaliation While Keeping Diplomacy Open

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered military commanders on Saturday to respond to any US or Israeli attack with a "geographically unrestricted response," raising fears of wider conflict amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. Khamenei, who succeeded his father after his killing in February, demanded immediate retaliation for "any kind and level of threat" and called for updating the target bank against the US and Israel. Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia separately warned that new US attacks would spread war across a wider area. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared for all scenarios but described a letter from Vice President JD Vance seeking dialogue as a "positive step," with talks conditional on US agreement to Iran's terms. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of threatening maritime security while confirming diplomatic conversations continue, with President Trump preferring peaceful resolution.