Khamenei warns U.S. warships “could be sunk” amid Geneva nuclear talks

Iran’s supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , delivered a chilling warning on Tuesday, saying U.S. warships deployed in the Persian Gulf “could be sunk to the bottom of the sea” if hostilities escalate. “We constantly hear that they have sent a warship toward Iran. A warship is a dangerous weapon, but even more dangerous is the weapon capable of sinking it,” Khamenei declared at a public gathering in Tehran. “The Islamic Republic will resist all threats. Any miscalculation by the United States will be met with a decisive response.”

The warning came as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched live‑fire missile drills and temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz , a critical shipping lane carrying roughly 20 % of global oil exports. Analysts called the maneuvers a rare and provocative show of force, coinciding with the second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva .

Earlier, the United States has escalated its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships.

Despite the threats, talks in Geneva , mediated by Oman at the Omani Embassy continued. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “These talks were serious and substantive, and we have reached a shared understanding on guiding principles that will serve as the framework for future negotiations.” U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff added, “Significant gaps remain. No agreement has been reached, and further negotiations will be required. We remain prepared for any scenario that threatens regional security.”

Negotiators focused on uranium enrichment limits , IAEA inspections , and conditions for phased sanctions relief . Iran maintained that the talks should focus solely on its nuclear programme, rejecting U.S. demands to address its ballistic missiles or regional proxy activities. Both sides plan to consult with their capitals before scheduling a potential third round of talks , though no date has been announced.