As the Israel-Iran conflict escalates into one of the most dangerous military standoffs in the region, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a defiant response to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Refusing to bow to what he called “absurd rhetoric”, Khamenei declared from an undisclosed location that “Tehran will never surrender.”
The remarks were made in response to Trump’s ultimatum for an “unconditional surrender,” accompanied by an ominous warning that the US and Israel “know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding.”
The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him.
They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
It isn’t wise to tell the Iranian nation to surrender.
What should the Iranian nation surrender to? We will never surrender in response to the attacks of anyone. This is the logic of the Iranian nation. This is the spirit of the Iranian nation.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
The US entering in this matter [war] is 100% to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
The harm the US will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
Khamenei, posting on social media platform X, warned, “The harm the US will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily.” Taking direct aim at Trump, he added, “The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him. They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats.”
Khamenei further emphasized that “the damage the US will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter.”
Trump Threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader, As Conflict Moves Towards a Full-Scale War
President Trump, in a series of fiery Truth Social posts, reiterated his administration’s position. “He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump wrote, before warning that US patience is “wearing thin.”
It was already suspected that the US was involved in the malicious move carried out by the Zionist regime, but considering their recent remarks, this suspicion is growing stronger day by day.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
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The former President revealed that Iran was given “chance after chance” to make a deal. “No matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” Trump said. “They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse.”
Meanwhile, Israel launched precision air strikes last Friday on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to retaliate with hundreds of ballistic missiles, many targeting civilian areas in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz cautioned Tehran residents, stating that while Israel does not intend to harm civilians, “they will be forced to evacuate their homes” if they are near regime or security targets.
On Wednesday, Iran escalated further, deploying its Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles under Operation Honest Promise 3, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Ayatollah Khamenei wrote on X: “In the name of God, the battle begins… We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
US Considers Intervention as Nuclear Concerns Mount Over Iran’s Uranium Enrichment
Amid intensifying conflict, the United States is considering joining Israel militarily, with support expressed by G7 allies including Germany and France. Washington has stressed that Iran must not develop a nuclear weapon under any circumstances..
ALSO READ: All you need to know about Iran’s Fattah-1 hypersonic missile fired at Israel
Iran insists that its uranium enrichment is for civilian energy purposes. However, US and Israeli intelligence say Tehran has now reached 60% enrichment—just short of the 90% weapons-grade level. US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff stated that “3.67% enrichment is enough for civilian use,” warning that Tehran’s enrichment status poses a global threat.
Former President Trump supported that stance, declaring in April: “Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. These are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Friday’s offensive was necessary as Iran had come “dangerously close to developing the bomb.” Tel Aviv has since targeted all known uranium enrichment facilities inside Iran.
As rhetoric sharpens and missiles fly, the spectre of an all-out regional war continues to grow.
