Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged a “crushing response” to Israel and the U.S., as the Pentagon said it is sending U.S. ballistic missile defense destroyers and aircraft to the Middle East.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued the warning on Saturday after Israel struck Iran last week, killing at least five people.

Iran’s Supreme Leader escalated his rhetoric, warning of a “crushing response” to the country’s enemies - including the US - following Israel’s missile strike on the country a week ago. Most Read from BloombergIstanbul Tries Free Public Transit to Help Job SeekersIs Denver’s Big Bet on E-Bikes Paying Off?

Threat by supreme leader raises concerns of wider regional conflict just ahead of the American presidential election this Tuesday.

"The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing," Khamenei said.

His comments came as the Pentagon said it would send additional fighter jets and destroyers to the Middle East.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warns Israel and the U.S. of 'a crushing response' over attacks on Iran and its allies as regional tensions rise.

An attack on a central Israeli town early Saturday injured 11 people as Iran’s supreme leader vowed a punishing response to Israel’s attack last week and Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza and Lebanon.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the country will “certainly” launch a new attack against Israel, a day after its supreme leader vowed a harsh retaliation.