In a televised address on Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned the United States against any military action targeting Iran, asserting that such a move would result in “irreparable damages” for Washington and vowing that the Iranian nation will never capitulate to threats or coercion.
Speaking in the aftermath of what he described as a “foolish and malicious” act of aggression by Israel, Khamenei praised the Iranian people for their “dignified, courageous, and timely” response. He characterized the nation’s resilience as a reflection of its spiritual strength and rational clarity amid rising regional tensions.
“The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats,” Khamenei declared. “And threats don’t affect the behavior or mindset of the Iranian people.”
The statement comes at a time of heightened volatility in the Middle East, with Israel recently launching strikes inside Iranian territory—an attack Khamenei linked directly to U.S. complicity. He suggested that the Zionist regime’s military actions were carried out under the shadow of U.S. support, a suspicion he said is growing “stronger day by day.”
Khamenei emphasized that Iran will resist both “imposed war” and “imposed peace,” reiterating that the Islamic Republic would not surrender to any external pressure, whether military or diplomatic. The Leader specifically dismissed recent comments by the U.S. president—widely interpreted as ultimatums—as “absurd” and “unacceptable.”
“It isn’t wise to tell the Iranian nation to surrender,” he said. “Wise people who know Iran, the Iranian people, and Iran’s history would never utter such words.”
Throughout the address, Khamenei invoked Islamic scripture and national history to frame the current confrontation as a test of faith and sovereignty. He also praised the public’s massive turnout at religious events and rallies in recent days, calling them demonstrations of unity and defiance.
Referring to a female state TV presenter who recited “Allahu Akbar” during a live broadcast amid the recent hostilities, Khamenei called the gesture a “historic event” and a symbol of the nation’s resolve.
The Iranian leader warned the U.S. leadership that “the harm the U.S. will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily,” and urged global intellectuals, media figures, and public commentators to resist Western propaganda and tell “the truth” about Iran’s position.
His remarks come as U.S. naval and air assets remain on heightened alert in the Persian Gulf, and amid concerns that a broader regional war could erupt involving multiple actors, including Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias.
While Khamenei’s tone was resolute and confrontational, he stopped short of announcing any specific retaliatory action. However, he stressed that Israel “is already being punished” and warned that further consequences were planned.
“The punishment that the Iranian nation and our Armed Forces have delivered, are currently carrying out, and have planned for the future… is a severe punishment,” he said.
Khamenei closed his speech with a call for continued vigilance and faith among Iranians, citing verses from the Quran to emphasize divine support for the righteous and promising that “victory comes only from Allah.”
