31.01.2026 20:34
Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran's religious leader Khamenei, stated that they would respond to a possible attack from the U.S. with a strike that would reach the heart of Tel Aviv. Iran's Chief of General Staff Hatami emphasized that if the enemy makes a mistake, regional security will be jeopardized. Tehran also expressed its openness to negotiations with the U.S.
While the possibility of the U.S. launching an attack on Iran is on the agenda, Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's advisor Ali Shamkhani stated, "Our response to any attack will reach the heart of Tel Aviv."
KHAMENEI'S ADVISOR THREATENS ISRAEL
Shamkhani, who represents Khamenei in the Supreme Defense Council, said in a statement today that his country would give an "effective and deterrent" response to any attack. In his statement reported by the Iran-based Tasnim news agency, Shamkhani said that Iran's response to a possible attack would "reach the heart of Tel Aviv."
On the other hand, Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Amir Hatami warned the U.S. and Israel to avoid any attack. Hatami noted that with Washington's increased military reinforcements in the region, Iranian forces are "on the highest level of alert." In a statement to the official news agency IRNA, Hatami said, "If the enemy makes a mistake, it will endanger not only its own security but also the security of the region and the Zionist regime."
Emphasizing that the Iranian Armed Forces are in "the highest level of defense and military readiness," Hatami also stated that "nuclear technology cannot be eliminated."
"WE ARE READY FOR NEGOTIATIONS"
Meanwhile, the Tehran administration is simultaneously signaling that it is open to negotiations with the U.S. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in remarks made yesterday and today that Iran is ready to negotiate with Washington for an agreement that includes Iran's abandonment of nuclear armament in exchange for the lifting of sanctions against Tehran. However, Araghchi noted that Iran's "defense and ballistic missile capabilities" are not subject to negotiation or bargaining.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he has given the Iranian administration a deadline to meet the White House's demands but did not specify when the deadline would expire. Trump had said that "all options are on the table" and expressed that a final decision has not yet been made.