TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed that the country will continue to retaliate against Israeli military operations, declaring there would be “no mercy” for what he called the “terrorist Zionist regime.”
In a strongly worded message posted Wednesday on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Khamenei also ruled out any negotiations with Israel.
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,” the statement read, in the latest sign of intensifying hostilities in the Middle East.
We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime.
We will show the Zionists no mercy.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 17, 2025
Khamenei’s remarks came one day after former US President Donald Trump, speaking from Washington, warned that the US knows “exactly” where Khamenei is and that he is safe “for now.” Trump added, “Our patience is wearing thin,” signalling increasing US concern over the conflict’s trajectory.
The exchange of threats follows a sharp escalation in violence that began on Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on strategic Iranian sites, including military installations and nuclear infrastructure. Tehran responded with retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli territory.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, Israeli officials have reported at least 24 fatalities and hundreds injured from Iranian strikes. Iran, meanwhile, claims that at least 224 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in Israeli bombardments.
In a televised speech on Wednesday, Khamenei said Israel’s attack on Iranian soil constituted a grave miscalculation. “Israel made a huge mistake and will be punished for that,” he declared.
He also issued a stern response to Trump’s earlier comments demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
“Those who know Iran’s history know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threat,” Khamenei said. “They should know that Iran will not surrender, and any US strike will have serious, irreparable consequences.”
Khamenei insisted that Iran will neither accept an imposed war nor an imposed peace, positioning the country for continued defiance.
The US entering in this matter [war] is 100% to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
The harm the US will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
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.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
It isn’t wise to tell the Iranian nation to surrender.
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.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
The Zionist regime’s malicious attack on our country took place at a time when Iranian officials were indirectly engaged in negotiations with the US side. There was no indication on the part of Iran that signaled a military move.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
It was already suspected that the US was involved in the malicious move carried out by the Zionist regime, but considering their recent remarks, this suspicion is growing stronger day by day.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 18, 2025
