Unyielding Iran Stands Firm: Ayatollah Khamenei's Unwavering Stance
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, Rejects Any Possibility of Iranian Capitulation - Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, flatly denies any form of surrender or capitulation.
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of international politics, folks! The iron-willed Ayatollah Khamenei, ruling the roost since 1989, has made it clear: Iran will never bow down. In a fiery televised address, he rejected any "imposed" war or peace, warning that U.S. intervention would result in "irreparable damage"[1].
While Trump plays coy about military intervention in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, he left the door open, stating, "I could do it, I could not do it... No one knows what I'll do"[2]. The U.S. president didn't shy away from admitting that Iran wants to negotiate but kept all options on the table.
Meanwhile, Trump's rhetoric towards Tehran has been anything but friendly. On his Truth Social platform, he even threatened, "I know where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding, but there's at least for now no intention to kill him"[3]. Some experts believe the U.S. might use bunker-busting bombs against Iran's underground nuclear facilities, but it's unclear whether Trump is ready to take that plunge[4].
Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul (CDU), urges Tehran to return to the negotiating table. "It's never too late if you come in good faith," he said from Berlin[5].
Tension has been brewing for a while now, and it came to a head last Friday when Israel unleashed a massive attack on Iran, bombing nuclear facilities and military bases, claiming several high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists[6]. Iran responded with rocket and drone attacks on Israeli targets.
Reports of explosions in Tehran and smoke clouds filling the sky have been flooding in[7]. The Israeli Defense Minister announced that fighter jets had destroyed the headquarters of the Iranian regime's internal security force, dubbing it the "most important repression organ" of the Iranian dictator, Khamenei[8].
Moreover, Israel allegedly launched dozens of fighter jets for further attacks in the Tehran area[9]. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported the destruction of two buildings in Karaj, where centrifuge components are produced[10]. Other targets in Tehran also suffered hits, including a building where modern centrifuge rotors are produced and tested[11].
Centrifuges are crucial for producing nuclear fuel for reactors and weapons, and Western states and Israel accuse Iran of ramping up uranium enrichment to build a nuclear bomb[12]. Tehran denies these allegations.
Iran's response? A first-time deployment of hypersonic missiles against Israel, which are notoriously difficult to intercept due to their speed and maneuverability[13]. The Revolutionary Guards claimed the missiles were fired at Tel Aviv, but no impacts were reported, and Israel's air defenses were activated. Israel's army intercepted ten Iranian drones.
So, buckle up, folks! This story is far from over. As Iran stands firm, the world watches with bated breath, waiting to see how the situation unfolds. Live by the sword, die by the sword, indeed.
The European Union, being committed to the implementation of the UN Charter, has expressed concern over the war-and-conflicts brewing between Iran and Israel, urging both parties to engage in diplomatic talks instead of escalating the politics involved in this general-news scenario. Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, explicitly stated, "It's never too late if you come in good faith," reiterating the EU's stance.
