Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly rebuked U.S. demands for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, calling them a prelude to “irreparable damage” for Americans as Israeli forces intensified airstrikes targeting Iranian soil.
During his second public address since the strikes began, Khamenei declared, “Any U.S. intervention will bring irreparable harm to them.” His remarks came a day after President Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on social media, warning Tehran’s nine million residents to evacuate.
“Wise individuals who know Iran, its people and its history never speak to this nation with the language of threats, because the Iranian nation is not one to surrender,” Khamenei said in a video. “Americans should know that any military involvement by the U.S. will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage to them.”
Diplomats from Europe are set to resume nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva on Friday, though the United States is not participating. Tensions heightened after Israeli airstrikes damaged facilities at Natanz, Esfahan and Fordow enrichment sites. Iran’s response included missile launches, some with hypersonic capabilities, which Tehran claims entered Israeli airspace.
Separately, the U.N. Security Council scheduled a second emergency meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict for Friday at the request of Russia, China and Pakistan. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate the Israel-Iran conflict suggesting that Moscow could help Tehran continue its nuclear program while calming security concerns among the Israelis.
Meanwhile, civilian casualties are mounting with more than 24 in Israel, and possibly up to 600 in Iran, according to The Guardian. Streets in both Tehran and Israeli cities remain tense with evacuation alerts and sirens.
World leaders from the G7 and UN have urged restraint. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned against escalation, while French President Emmanuel Macron called for urgent diplomacy.
