Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly condemned U.S. attacks on Iran-allied Kataib Hezbollah militia group in Iraq, Iranian state TV reported on Wednesday, blaming the United States for the violence in the neighboring country, Reuters reported.

“The Iranian government, nation and I strongly condemn the attacks,” state TV quoted Khamenei as saying.

“If Iran decides to confront a country, we will do that openly,” Khamenei tweeted. ... If anyone threatens our nation’s interests we will fight back ... without any hesitation.”