Tehran, June 18, 2025 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for unconditional surrender, escalating tensions as the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies.
In a televised statement on Wednesday, Khamenei emphasized Iran’s resilience, declaring that the nation would not yield to threats. “Intelligent people who know Iran and its history will never speak in threatening language, as the Iranian nation will not surrender,” he said. The remarks, his first since Friday, followed a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran that began last week. Khamenei warned that any direct US military intervention would result in “irreparable damage,” signaling a strong stance against foreign involvement.
The conflict, now in its sixth day, has prompted thousands to flee Tehran after overnight Israeli airstrikes targeted approximately 20 sites, including facilities producing missile components. Israel’s military confirmed the deployment of 50 jets in the operation. Meanwhile, a source familiar with internal discussions revealed that Trump is weighing options, including potential US participation in strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, stated that Iran would retaliate against the US for any direct involvement, accusing it of complicity in Israel’s actions. The situation remains volatile as both nations exchange missile strikes, with no immediate resolution in sight.
