Khamenei Rejects Trump’s Call to Surrender, Russia Warns against US Involvement
The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that Iran “will not surrender,” in response to the US President Donald Trump’s demand for the country’s “unconditional surrender.”
No Surrender
In a televised address, Khamenei threatened that any direct US military involvement in Israel’s war against Iran will bring irreparable damage.
“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,” the Iranian Supreme Leader said.
“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. The harm the US will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily,” he added.
Khamenei also said that Israel’s attack “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,” suggesting that suspicion of the US involvement in the attack “is growing stronger day by day.”
Trump’s Threats
The Iranian Supreme Leader’s remarks came in response to Trump’s demand that Tehran should surrender, after hinting at possible US intervention.
“We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.
Then, he followed up with another post apparently aimed at Iran, saying “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Russian Warning
Amid reports suggesting that the Trump administration is weighing joining Israel’s war on Iran, Russia warned the US against involvement in the conflict, Reuters reported citing Interfax news agency.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said on Wednesday that a US strike on Iran would “radically destabilize the situation in the Middle East,” warning Washington against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such “speculative, conjectural options.”
Similarly, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, warned that Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure meant the world was “millimeters” from catastrophe.
Mediation Offer
Russia and Iran signed a 20-year strategic partnership in January. It also maintains good relations with Israel. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, offered Moscow’s mediation to resolve the Iran-Israel conflict during a phone call with Trump on Saturday.
Moreover, Russia expressed its willingness to mediate in the conflict during a phone call between the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, earlier on Saturday.
“Russia confirmed its readiness to continue to contribute to the efforts to resolve the situation regarding Iran’s nuclear program and to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and Israel,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
