Khamenei Fires Back at Trump: “Iran Will Not Bow to U.S. Demands”

In a bold national address on Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the Iranian nation “is not one to surrender,” directly rebuffing U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Iran’s unconditional capitulation.

“Let the Americans know that the Iranian nation is not one to surrender, and any military intervention on their part will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage,” Khamenei said in his televised remarks — only his second public statement since Israel’s attack on Iran last week.

The Supreme Leader’s comments came just 24 hours after President Trump, speaking on Truth Social, described Khamenei as “an easy target” for the United States and its allies and issued a blunt ultimatum: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”

Khamenei, however, warned against such rhetoric. “Those who are wise and familiar with Iran, its people, and its history never speak to this nation in the language of threats,” he said, reiterating Tehran’s long-standing resistance to Western pressure.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have intensified sharply in recent days amid growing regional instability, with fears mounting over the potential for direct military confrontation.