Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a fierce response on Wednesday to US President Donald Trump's demand for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” warning that any US military intervention in support of Israel would bring "irreparable damage" to America.

In a defiant message posted on his official X account, Khamenei declared, “It isn’t wise to tell the Iranian nation to surrender. What should the Iranian nation surrender to? 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 message came amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, now entering their sixth day of open conflict. Trump, who left the G7 summit in Canada abruptly, had fueled speculation about potential US military intervention and claimed that the US could easily assassinate Khamenei.

“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," Trump posted on Truth Social.

Khamenei didn’t hold back in his response, stressing Iran’s resilience, "The Iranian nation will stand firmly against any imposed war, just as it always has...The harm the US will suffer will definitely be irreparable if they enter this conflict militarily."

He further accused the United States of being complicit in Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. These attacks destroyed facilities near Tehran used in centrifuge production, according to the UN nuclear watchdog.

"It was already suspected that the US was involved in the malicious move carried out by the Zionist regime, but considering their recent remarks, this suspicion is growing stronger day by day. The Zionist regime’s malicious attack on our country 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 signalled a military move,” Khamenei said.

 

The Supreme Leader's warnings followed Israeli airstrikes that reportedly hit underground enrichment facilities in Natanz and destroyed key centrifuge manufacturing sites in Karaj and Tehran. In retaliation, Iran launched hypersonic missiles and a swarm of drones at Israel, many of which were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.

Despite calls for de-escalation from the international community, including G7 leaders, the war has intensified, with casualties mounting on both sides. Tehran claims over 224 people have died in Israeli attacks, while Israeli officials report 24 deaths and hundreds injured from Iranian strikes.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles toward Tel Aviv, and although no missiles hit the city directly, air raid sirens and mid-air explosions caused by interceptors lit up the night sky, disturbing millions.

Meanwhile, back in Tehran, residents queued for basic supplies amid rising fears of a wider war.

Khamenei's address signals a refusal to back down in the face of both military pressure and Trump’s provocations.

"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," Khamenei warned. "They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats."