Iran’s supreme leader has warned of a strong response if US President Donald Trump follows through with threats to attack the Middle Eastern country. Trump has increased pressure on Tehran to reach a fresh nuclear deal.
Iran‘s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday that any attack on his country would be met with a strong response.
Khamenei’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump threatened in a television interview on Saturday to bomb Iran if it did not reach a deal on its nuclear program as called for in a letter sent by Trump to Khamenei in early March.
What did Khamenei say?
“They [the US and Israel] threaten to attack us, which we don’t think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow,” Khamenei said of the threat during a speech on Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
“If it is carried out, they will definitely receive a strong counterattack,” he said.
“And if they are thinking of causing sedition inside the country as in past years, the Iranian people themselves will deal with them,” he added.
Iranian authorities blame the West for recent unrest including protests in 2022-2023 over the death in custody of Jina Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for allegedly violating rules on female attire, and nationwide demonstrations in 2019 over fuel price rises.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei made even stronger comments than Khamenei in response to the threat by Trump.
“An open threat of ‘bombing’ by a Head of State against Iran is a shocking affront to the very essence of International Peace and Security,” he wrote on social media.
- Khamenei’s Response:
- Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed a “strong blow” and “firm retaliation” if the U.S. acts on threats to bomb Iran. He made these statements on Monday, March 31, 2025, during an Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony in Tehran.
- He stated that while he doesn’t believe an external attack is probable, Iran is ready to respond forcefully if it occurs.
- Khamenei also mentioned that if the U.S. attempts to incite sedition within Iran, the Iranian people themselves will respond.
- Trump’s Threat:
- These warnings from Khamenei came after the U.S. President reiterated a threat to bomb Iran if it does not agree to a new nuclear deal with Washington.
- The U.S. President reportedly said in an interview on Sunday, March 30, 2025, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing…bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
- The U.S. President also mentioned the possibility of imposing secondary tariffs on Iran, similar to what was done during his first term.
- Context of the Threat:
- The U.S. President sent a letter to Iranian leadership in early March 2025, outlining an offer for talks and giving Tehran a two-month window to decide.
- Iran has indicated its unwillingness to engage in direct negotiations with the U.S. under the threat of military action but has left the door open for indirect talks.
- The 2015 nuclear deal, which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief, has been a point of contention, especially after the U.S. withdrew from it.
- Iranian Reactions:
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the U.S. President’s threat, calling it a “shocking affront to the very essence of international peace and security.”
- They have warned of “consequences” if the U.S. chooses the path of violence.
- Iran summoned the Swiss envoy, who represents U.S. interests in Tehran, to convey their strong objection to the threats.
- Broader Implications:
- Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
- The U.S. President’s recent threats and Khamenei’s strong response indicate a potential escalation in rhetoric and actions.
- The situation is further complicated by the broader regional context, including issues related to Gaza and Lebanon, which Khamenei also referenced in his speech, accusing the U.S. of complicity in Israeli actions.
It’s important to note that the situation is fluid and these reports are based on information available up to March 31, 2025.
