Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hit back hard at U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, declaring Iran will never bow to pressure from the U.S. or its allies after a preemptive attack from Israel.
“It isn’t wise to tell the Iranian nation to surrender,” Khamenei posted on X. “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,” he added.
His defiant message came just a day after Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warned that a ceasefire wouldn’t be enough. Trump also called for a deal that would force Iran to dismantle its nuclear program.
While Trump has hinted at U.S. military involvement, he stopped short of directly targeting Khamenei.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there,” Trump said Tuesday. “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.”
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers,” he added. “Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Iran has refused to back down. After firing back at Israel for earlier attacks, Tehran has shown no signs of stopping its nuclear ambitions and warned the U.S. to stay out.
“The US entering in this matter [war] is 100% to its own detriment,” Khamenei said in another post. “The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter.”
He continued: “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.”
The death toll in Iran has now passed 500, with over a thousand injured, according to the U.S.-based group Human Rights Activists.
Trump and Israeli forces are warning civilians to get out of Tehran, predicting more airstrikes and rising casualties.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” he added. “I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
