Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on February 1 that any U.S. attack would spark a “regional war,” criticizing foreign designs on Iran and labeling protests a failed coup. President Trump, asked about the warning, dismissed it, saying the United States has “the biggest, most powerful ships” nearby and that “hopefully we’ll make a deal — if we don’t, then we’ll find out whether or not he was right.” The remarks come as USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group and other warships were sent to the region after Tehran’s violent crackdown on demonstrations that began December 28 over collapsing rial. (apnews.com)