Updated at 1339 EAT on Wednesday 17th June 2025

Tehran, Iran – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Wednesday that any U.S. military intervention would bring “irreparable damage,” reinforcing the country’s defiance amid rising tensions with Washington.

In remarks carried by state media, Khamenei firmly stated that Iran “will not surrender” in the face of mounting threats. His comments came in direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and made a pointed remark that while Washington knows Khamenei’s exact location, “we won’t kill him—for now.”

“Those who know Iran and its history do not speak the language of threats,” Khamenei said, dismissing Trump’s comments as misguided and provocative.

Khamenei also praised the Iranian people for their composure and unity following recent Israeli strikes, calling their response “calm, brave, and timely”—a reflection, he said, of the nation’s strength and resolve.

“The Iranian nation stands firm against imposed war… and will not submit to imposed peace,” he declared, echoing sentiments from Iran’s post-revolutionary doctrine that resists foreign pressure and influence.

The statement comes as regional tensions continue to simmer, with both Washington and Tehran trading sharp rhetoric and accusations. While military analysts warn that further escalation could ignite a broader conflict in the Middle East, diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation remain uncertain.