Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Sunday of an “enemy” effort to trap the country in a dangerous “no war, no peace” deadlock, just weeks after a 12-day war with Israel—backed by the United States—left more than 1,000 dead in Iran and fears of renewed conflict unresolved.

Khamenei delivered the remarks in Tehran during a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian and his cabinet, stressing that such a prolonged state of limbo carried dangers equal to direct confrontation. His comments reflected Tehran’s ongoing anxiety about another outbreak of war despite a fragile ceasefire in place since late June.

Newsweek has reached out to Iran’s Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Khamenei’s remarks come as Iran grapples with multiple, overlapping crises on both military and diplomatic fronts. The June war with Israel not only killed several of Iran’s top commanders, but also targeted its nuclear facilities, highlighting the country’s vulnerability.

Beyond the battlefield, Iran faces mounting diplomatic and economic pressures. Nuclear negotiations with world powers remain stalled, leaving sanctions relief out of reach. The so-called E3—Britain, France, and Germany—continue to press Tehran through the U.N. Security Council, with disputes over enrichment and sanctions unresolved, keeping the country in a state of prolonged uncertainty.

What to Know

Khamenei used Sunday’s address to sharpen his warnings about Israel, the U.S., and the risks of regional escalation. Framing the Gaza conflict as part of a broader assault on Muslims, he denounced Israeli “crimes” and accused Washington of enabling them.

“Although these crimes are carried out with the support of a power like the United States but the way to confront this situation is not closed,” he declared.

He urged Islamic countries to intensify Israel’s isolation by cutting all political and economic ties. According to Khamenei, the region must use its leverage to deepen Tel Aviv’s vulnerability, portraying Israel as “the most hated government in the world.”

Israel’s June Offensive

On June 13, Israel, with U.S. support, launched a surprise military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. According to Tehran, the strikes killed 1,062 people, including 276 civilians, and eliminated much of Iran’s top military command. Iran retaliated with missile strikes that killed 31 civilians and one off-duty soldier in Israel.

Ceasefire Under Pressure

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire on June 24 ended 12 days of intense conflict but did not resolve underlying tensions. Last month, Ali Larijani, Iran’s newly appointed top security official, warned that Tehran must remain fully prepared for renewed fighting, reinforcing the sense that another clash is likely.

Oil and Sanctions

In his speech, Khamenei also criticized Iran’s energy sector, citing outdated infrastructure and weak export diversification. Sanctions have forced Tehran to sell most of its crude to China at discount prices, while aging refineries leave the country lagging behind other oil-rich states.

Iran has been grappling with frequent electricity blackouts, compounding public frustration and adding to the perception that sanctions, aging infrastructure, and government mismanagement are pushing the country into deeper crisis.

What People Are Saying

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “The enemy wants to impose a ‘no war, no peace’ situation on Iran…. One of the harms and dangers facing the country is precisely this state of ‘no war, no peace,’ which is not good. Although these crimes are carried out with the support of a power like the United States but the way to confront this situation is not closed.”

What Happens Next

With Gaza and Iran alike at the center of regional tensions, and with both Israel and Tehran regarding the conflict as unfinished, the ceasefire remains fragile. Khamenei’s words suggest that Iran sees confrontation with Israel and its U.S. backers as not only possible, but inevitable.