Khamenei Warns U.S. of “Irreparable Damage” Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning to the United States on Wednesday, cautioning that any direct American intervention in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict would lead to “irreparable damage.” The statement comes as hostilities between Tehran and Tel Aviv enter their sixth day, with both nations engaged in an unprecedented aerial confrontation.
Khamenei, who had remained largely silent since the outbreak of fighting last Friday, broke his silence with a combative message on the social media platform X, declaring:
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
The warning follows provocative remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, in which he demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and made a veiled threat against Khamenei’s life.
“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 on social media, triggering global alarm over the potential for American escalation.
The sharp rhetoric comes as Israeli fighter jets continue to pound Iranian targets, including military and suspected nuclear facilities across Tehran and other strategic regions. In response, Iran claimed on Wednesday to have launched hypersonic missiles at Israel—a first in the region’s volatile military landscape, and a major escalation in capabilities.
Air raid sirens have become a near-constant backdrop in both countries, while diplomatic efforts remain paralyzed. Khamenei’s calls for a “strong response” suggest Tehran is bracing for a prolonged and intensified phase of the conflict.
“Iran will never surrender,” Khamenei said in a separate statement, pushing back firmly against mounting international pressure and Trump’s ultimatum.
Meanwhile, Israel has defended its airstrikes as necessary to neutralize Iranian nuclear threats. However, strikes on civilian-populated areas have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, who report that hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured in the ongoing bombardment across Iran.
As the situation teeters on the edge of a broader regional war, global attention is now focused on Khamenei’s upcoming televised address—his first since the outbreak of the conflict. The speech is expected to outline Iran’s next steps and could serve as a pivotal moment in determining whether the standoff escalates further or leaves the door ajar for diplomacy.
