Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his nation “cannot surrender” and warned of “irreversible repercussions” if the U.S. intervenes militarily.
U.S. President Donald Trump had warned earlier that Washington knows where Khamenei is hiding and that his patience is wearing thin.
Trump is mulling his options on Iran and may join Israeli strikes. He is urging Iran to make a nuclear deal that would end the conflict and has demanded “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” from Tehran.
“We warn America of the consequences of engaging in war, because it will suffer severe damage if it decides to do so,” Khamenei said in an address to the nation. “War is met with war, bombing with bombing, and strike with strike.”
“America must know that our people will not surrender, and any military intervention on their part will lead to irreversible repercussions,” Khamenei continued.
“The United States should know that any military intervention will have irreparable consequences for them.
“The Iranian people stand steadfast in the face of the war imposed on them. Our people will not submit to an imposed war, nor will they submit to an imposed peace.”
He added, per state media: “Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation and its history will never speak to this nation with the language of threats, because the Iranian nation cannot surrender and the Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.” (Newsweek)