Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, asserting that the Iranian people would never succumb to external pressure or threats.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Khamenei declared, “The Iranian nation does not surrender, and any military intervention against them will cause irreversible damage.” This statement marked only his second public appearance since Israel began its strikes on Iran the previous week.
Khamenei also warned against hostile rhetoric, cautioning, “Those who understand Iran, its people, and its history, never speak to us in the language of threats.” On X, he posted, “The U.S. President threatens us with his absurd words, demanding our surrender. Such threats are meant for those who fear them. The Iranian nation is not intimidated.”
His comments followed Trump’s remarks on Truth Social, where he labeled Khamenei as “an easy target” and reiterated his call for “unconditional surrender.”
Khamenei reiterated Iran’s stance of defiance, warning that any U.S. military involvement would have dire repercussions. Meanwhile, the situation in Tehran worsened as thousands of residents fled the city after Israeli warplanes bombed it overnight. Reports indicated that Trump was considering options, including joining Israel in targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
Israel’s military confirmed that 50 Israeli jets carried out strikes on approximately 20 sites in Tehran, including facilities linked to missile production. Iran, through its ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, conveyed a strong message to Washington, stating that any direct involvement by the U.S. would be met with retaliation. Bahreini already considered the U.S. “complicit” in Israel’s actions.
