Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a powerful retaliation if the United States follows through with threats of military action against the Islamic Republic.
In a speech on Monday marking Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that concludes Ramadan, Khamenei addressed US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks, asserting that any attack would prompt a strong counterattack.
Trump had previously threatened to bomb Iran if the country failed to strike a deal over its nuclear programme.
In an interview on Saturday, he also mentioned imposing “secondary tariffs” on Iran, although it was unclear whether the threat referred to US-led bombing alone or a joint operation with Israel.
This escalation came after Trump resumed his “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran, which began in his first term by withdrawing the US from the 2015 nuclear deal and reinstating severe sanctions on Tehran.
Iran has consistently denied allegations that it is pursuing nuclear weapons, stating that its enrichment activities are for peaceful purposes only.
The 2015 nuclear deal, which involved Tehran limiting its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, has largely collapsed following the US withdrawal.
Credit: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP
Despite Khamenei’s strong rhetoric, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran remains open to indirect negotiations with the United States.
However, Iran insists that any talks must not be conducted under the threat of military force or sanctions.
Iran has also rejected direct engagement under the “maximum pressure” campaign imposed by Washington.
Oman, which has historically mediated between the US and Iran, has been involved in delivering messages between the two nations.
The tension between the US and Iran has been compounded by Iran’s support for regional proxy groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Huthi rebels, which the West has labelled as terrorist organisations.
Khamenei reiterated his stance on Israel, describing it as the corrupt usurper Zionist regime and calling for its eradication.
