Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei / Photo: Public
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reacted sharply to US President Donald Trump’s statement about possible bombing of Iran if Tehran refuses to accept the new nuclear deal. “We will strike a powerful blow,” Khamenei said, stressing Iran’s readiness to defend itself.
In a speech dedicated to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, Khamenei also drew attention to Israel, calling it a “Zionist entity” and “the only true US satellite in the region”. “Criminals must be expelled from Palestine, and they will be expelled. Everyone must contribute to this,” the supreme leader stressed, calling for active action against Israel and its allies.
The Tehran Times also commented on the US threats in its editorial. The newspaper notes that Iranian missile forces are on full alert and prepared to strike targets associated with the United States if Trump follows through on his words. According to the newspaper, a significant number of missiles are deployed in underground bases that can withstand US air strikes, which indicates a high level of Iranian defence training.
Conflicting rhetoric between Tehran and Washington escalated after Donald Trump’s statement of 30 March. In an interview with NBC News, the US president warned: “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” This statement was part of the pressure on Iran to force it to negotiate over its nuclear programme, from which Tehran has repeatedly refused to back down.
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the two countries, the Iranian leadership is demonstrating determination and readiness for confrontation. It remains to be seen whether the conflict will escalate into an open phase, but Khamenei’s words and the preparation of missile forces indicate the seriousness of Tehran’s intentions. In turn, Trump’s threats underscore the US tough stance on the Iranian issue, which could have far-reaching consequences for stability in the region.
