We Will Not Surrender,’ Iran’s Supreme Leader Defies Trump’s Warning as US Mobilizes Forces
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has delivered a blistering response to President Donald Trump’s demand for surrender, declaring that the “Iranian nation is not one to surrender” in his first public address since Israel began its military campaign to destroy the regime’s nuclear capabilities.
“Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” Khamenei said in the televised address.
“The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”
Last night, Trump threatened to reveal information about where Khamenei is hiding.
“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 wrote on his Truth Social account. Three minutes later, he posted simply: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Sources familiar with ongoing discussions tell CNN that Trump is “growing increasingly inclined toward using US military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and souring on the idea of a diplomatic solution.”
This marks a dramatic shift from earlier this year when Trump blocked Israeli plans for joint strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The New York Times reported in April that Trump had “waved off” a planned Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear program that would require US military support.
Reuters reported that Trump also vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader.
The change appears driven by frustration with stalled negotiations. A source familiar with the communication told CNN that Trump had set a 60-day deadline for diplomatic efforts in a March letter to Khamenei, and that deadline expired the day before Israel’s strikes began Friday.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is rapidly expanding military assets in the region. More than two dozen tanker planes have been deployed to Europe and the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier was dispatched to the Middle East. About 40,000 US troops are currently stationed in the region, up from the typical 30,000.
The US military has already helped shoot down Iranian missiles headed for Israel using Patriot missile defense systems and other assets.
Officials say the tankers have been moved to give Trump and Central Command options for potential joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, though sources say the US remains unlikely to participate without major Iranian provocation.
It’s not believed that Israel has the military means to destroy Iran’s nuclear program without American assistance, especially the regime’s Fordow underground nuclear plant.
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