Iran’s supreme leader has threatened an immediate response to a potential attack — one without “geographic limits” — as diplomatic efforts continue in an effort to reduce the threat of a return to all-out war. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister said a proposal has been reached that would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz in just two days as talks with mediators remain on track. Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Saturday. Read our full coverage here. Khamenei says ‘any kind’ of threat should get immediate response Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said that “any kind and level of threat” from the U.S. or Israel should face an immediate response — one without geographic limits — the official IRNA news agency reported. State media said that Khamenei, who hasn’t been seen publicly since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, made the comments while meeting with military chiefs. He also called for an updated list of potential U.S. and Israeli targets. Khamenei became supreme leader after the first wave of strikes killed his father and other high-ranking officials. He has been meeting with a series of senior officials in recent weeks, according to state media. Iran’s top diplomat says proposal could reopen strait in 2 days Iran’s top diplomat says that a new proposal has been reached with mediators that would shorten the time to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to two days. He said that Iranian diplomats were in Qatar for discussions. Last month, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi floated a proposal to reopen the critical waterway within a week if the U.S. agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, among other conditions. That was rejected. In an interview with Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Araghchi also said that Iran isn’t planning to meet with U.S. officials, but said that recent American efforts toward “broader dialogue” are considered a positive step. Araghchi said a decision on whether negotiations will be direct or indirect would be made “once Washington agrees to Iran’s conditions.” Iran’s security chief says U.S. tone has changed The head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says he has not responded to a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and that “the tone has completely changed.” Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei in the new interview with state television called the change in tone a “very good sign.” He also said he had not responded. The comments came as urgent diplomatic efforts are said to continue in an effort to avoid a return to all-out war with the United States. Rezaei, who state media this past week said has met with Iran’s supreme leader, also said there has been no decision to change Iran’s nuclear doctrine. Washington seeks to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Tehran has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful and has wanted to discuss the issue later. Regional leaders urge calm in effort to avoid a military escalation Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of foreign affairs, Waleed ElKhereiji, said that the message from the region is that it wants a return to peace. Efforts were being made to prevent a military escalation and reach an agreement that ends the Iran crisis, ElKhereiji said at a security forum in Bahrain. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said at the same event that a new round of fighting “will be more dangerous, more destructive, and it will lead to nowhere.” Syria calls border security with Jordan a shared responsibility Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said that border security with Jordan is a shared responsibility and a high-level meeting is expected next month to discuss arrangements. Speaking at the security forum in Bahrain, al-Shibani said there are no “skirmishes” between the countries. Jordanian strikes in Syria last week raised tensions between the neighbors. Jordan said that the strikes killed 20 militants with the Islamic State extremist group, but acknowledged that civilians also had been killed. Syrian authorities reported seven people killed, most of them women and children. Separately, al-Shibani said that Syria is in discussions to evaluate joining the Mecca Pact, the Saudi-led defense alliance that includes Turkey and Pakistan. “Whether Syria joins or not, Syria thinks the region is in dire need of a structure that protects its security,” he said. UN says staffer dies in Houthi custody in Yemen UN rights chief Volker Türk urged Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels to investigate the death in custody of a staff member of the UN Human Rights Office there. Mohammad al-Shami, a Yemeni national, was detained in June 2024. Türk said that al-Shami’s family was only recently informed that he died more than a month ago and wasn’t given a cause of death. Türk said that he remains concerned for other U.N. personnel who remain detained, including seven colleagues from his office. The Houthis have claimed without evidence that detained U.N. staffers and those working with other international groups and foreign embassies in rebel-held areas were spies. The UN has denied the accusation. ___ This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge. The Associated Press
