Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns US of Strong Retaliation Amidst Trump’s Threats

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran if Tehran doesn’t agree to a new nuclear deal with Washington, stating that the US would face a forceful response should it act on this threat.

Trump had reiterated his threat on Sunday, indicating that Iran would be bombed if it rejected his offer for talks, which was initially outlined in a letter sent to Iran’s leadership in early March, providing a two-month timeframe for a decision.

On Monday, Iran conveyed a warning through the Swiss embassy, which represents US interests and serves as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, according to state media. In this warning, Tehran asserted its determination to respond “decisively and immediately” to any threat.

“The animosity from the US and Israel has always been present. They threaten to attack us, which we deem unlikely, but if they engage in any misconduct, they will undoubtedly face a strong reciprocal blow,” Khamenei stated.

“And if they contemplate instigating sedition within the country as they have in past years, the Iranian people themselves will handle it,” he added.

Iranian authorities attribute the recent unrest to the West, including the 2022-2023 protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly violating hijab rules, as well as the nationwide protests in 2019 over fuel price increases.

Last week, Iran responded to the US letter, with President Masoud Pezeshkian explaining on Sunday that while Tehran would not engage in direct negotiations with Washington, it was open to continuing indirect talks in accordance with an injunction from Khamenei.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei tweeted on Monday, “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.”

“Violence breeds violence, peace begets peace. The US can choose the course and concede to consequences.”

Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Commander Amirali Hajizadeh cautioned US forces in the Middle East, noting in media remarks that “Americans have at least 10 bases in the region with 50,000 troops. They are in a glass house and should not throw stones.”

During his 2017-21 term, Trump withdrew the US from a 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers that imposed strict limits on Tehran’s contested nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Trump also reinstated extensive US sanctions.

Since then, Iran has significantly exceeded the deal’s restrictions on uranium enrichment.

Western powers accuse Iran of pursuing a covert agenda to develop nuclear weapons capability by enriching uranium to a high level of fissile purity, exceeding what they consider justifiable for a civilian atomic energy program. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes.