An influential Iranian cleric warned Friday that Iran might target U.S.-linked investments in the region if the United States attacks the Islamic Republic. Speaking in Tehran, Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari stated, "The one trillion dollars you have invested in the region is under the watch of our missiles." He did not specify which assets he meant.

The threat follows President Donald Trump's Thursday announcement of an "armada" heading toward Iran, while renewing warnings against Tehran's actions toward protesters or its nuclear program. This escalation injects fresh geopolitical risk into Middle Eastern markets, where U.S. energy and defense companies have significant exposure.

Iran's judiciary also denied Trump's claim that it had called off 800 executions related to recent nationwide protests. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated last week there was "no plan for hanging at all." Rights groups report thousands were killed in the unrest, the biggest challenge to Iran's government since 2022.