Khamenei Breaks Silence: Vows Fierce Response Amid Israel Strikes and Trump Assassination Plot”

Ayatollah Khamenei Responds to Rising Tensions Amid Israel-Iran Escalation

Tehran, June 16, 2025 — As violence escalates between Israel and Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued strong warnings to regional adversaries while accusing Western powers, particularly the United States, of fueling unrest in the Middle East.

In a televised address Sunday evening, Khamenei condemned what he described as “aggressive Zionist provocations” following a week of unprecedented Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil. “The Islamic Republic will not tolerate continued violations of its sovereignty,” he said. “Any further aggression will be met with decisive and overwhelming retaliation.”

“We Do Not Seek War, But We Will Not Be Silent”

Khamenei emphasized Iran’s longstanding position that it does not seek war but will defend its territorial integrity at all costs. “Our patience has limits,” he added. “The enemy must understand that we are not a weak nation to be bullied.”

His comments come days after Israeli forces reportedly struck multiple strategic locations across Iran, including near nuclear sites and military facilities. While the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied involvement, global security analysts describe the operations as some of the most extensive in the region’s modern history.

Target of a Foiled Assassination Plot

U.S. media outlets including CBS News and the Associated Press recently reported that during his presidency, Donald Trump rejected an Israeli proposal to assassinate Khamenei. According to senior intelligence officials, Israel had requested U.S. coordination on the strike, but Trump vetoed the plan, stating it would only be justified if Iran had directly killed American citizens.

Khamenei has not publicly commented on the alleged plot but alluded to “cowardly plans designed abroad” during his address, suggesting heightened Iranian awareness of threats from both Israel and the U.S.

Harsh Words for the U.S. and Trump

The Supreme Leader also used the platform to directly criticize the United States. “The Americans, whether under Biden or Trump, have never given up on their imperial aims in the region,” Khamenei said. “But they miscalculate the resolve of the Iranian people and the strength of our resistance.”

He accused Washington of hypocrisy—talking about peace while backing Israel militarily and diplomatically. “Their talk of negotiation is nothing more than a smokescreen to weaken us internally,” he said.

Although Trump has reportedly offered back-channel communication to reopen nuclear talks if he wins re-election, Khamenei dismissed such diplomacy as “theater” unless accompanied by the immediate lifting of all sanctions.

Nuclear Talks on Hold

Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program remain in deadlock. The Supreme Leader has repeatedly asserted that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are peaceful, though Western governments continue to suspect otherwise. Iran's uranium enrichment has reached levels close to weapons-grade, triggering international alarm.

“We are not seeking nuclear weapons, as we have declared repeatedly,” Khamenei said. “But we will not accept unequal treatment or intrusive demands from countries that themselves possess vast nuclear arsenals.”

Sources within the Iranian government say no further rounds of nuclear talks are currently scheduled, although European intermediaries are quietly encouraging both sides to return to the table.

Regional Response and Warnings

In addition to fiery rhetoric, Khamenei issued a clear warning to neighboring Arab states. “Any country that allows its territory to be used to launch attacks on Iran will be treated as an aggressor,” he warned, without naming specific countries. Gulf States such as Bahrain and the UAE, both of which maintain close ties to Israel and the U.S., are thought to be watching developments closely.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Iran’s key proxy in the region, also released a statement pledging solidarity with Tehran and hinting at potential “multi-front retaliation” if the conflict widens.

Iranian Public Reaction

In Tehran and other major cities, public sentiment appears mixed. While many citizens voiced strong support for the Supreme Leader’s firm stance, others expressed concern over the economic and humanitarian consequences of further escalation.

“Our country has suffered under sanctions and conflict for years,” said Reza Moradi, a university student in Tehran. “We want peace, but we also want dignity. I think most Iranians feel both pride and fear right now.”

Leaders from the European Union, China, and the United Nations have called on both Iran and Israel to step back from the brink. The G7 Summit, held this week in Italy, has devoted emergency sessions to addressing the risk of regional war.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties “to exercise maximum restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Brussels, reiterated America’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense but cautioned that escalation with Iran “could have catastrophic consequences for the region and the world.”

As military operations and rhetorical battles continue, the future remains uncertain. Whether diplomatic channels will prevail or the Middle East will descend into broader war may depend on behind-the-scenes efforts that remain largely out of public view.

For now, Iran’s Supreme Leader is sending a clear message: the Islamic Republic, under his command, will not be intimidated—either by foreign assassination plots or military threats.

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