Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday that Iran would launch a “strong counterattack” in response to any attack from the US.
Khamenei’s comments came a day after President Trump threatened Iran with a “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before” if a deal is not reached on Tehran’s civilian nuclear program.
“They threaten to do mischief,” Khamenei said during a speech commemorating Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. “If it is carried out, they will definitely receive a strong counterattack.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that it summoned Switzerland’s envoy in Iran, who acts as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, to protest Trump’s threat and Israel’s actions in the region.
Also on Monday, a high-ranking Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commander noted that there are 10 US bases near Iran, which are in range of Iranian missiles.
“The Americans have 10 bases in the region, particularly around Iran, and 50,000 troops based in there,” said Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s aerospace force. “This means they are sitting in a glass house, and when one sits in a glass house, one does not throw stones at others.”
Trump’s threat came as the US is deploying more bombers to the region and carrying out daily airstrikes in Yemen. The president previously said he would blame Iran for each Houthi attack, even though US officials have acknowledged the Houthis act independently and are unlikely to take orders from Tehran.
Trump’s threat also came after US intelligence agencies reaffirmed there’s no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon or that Khamenei has decided to reverse his ban on developing weapons of mass destruction.
Iran recently responded to a letter Trump sent to Khamenei proposing nuclear talks. In its response, Tehran ruled out direct negotiations in the face of increasing US sanctions under Trump’s so-called “maximum pressure campaign” but left the door open to indirect talks.
If WE attack anyone, of course we can expect reprisals!…
There is nothing we will not do for our masters in Israel.
I think she lives in Vegas.
"'They threaten to do mischief,” Khamenei said…"
I dunno if that's a matter of translation or he actually did use the word "mischief". But in either case it's kinda adorable.
He, justifiably, has zero respect for Trump. He is talking to him as if he is a toddler.
Compared to Khamenei, Trump is a toddler in terms of intellect.
To attack with no reason at a time of peace would be to initiate the supreme crime of starting a war. I continue to think this is all posturing from the US side, but am getting less confident.
I’m coming to expect Trump will attack Iran and define his Presidency by it.
You might be right. If his tariff war goes South and the US economy tanks, he may start a war to distract the public from mess he made.
If he does, I wonder if Russia will use it as an opportunity for "intelligence sharing" to pay the US back for Ukraine? https://libertarianinstitute.org/news/nyt-investigation-reveals-new-details-about-the-us-proxy-war-in-ukraine/
Trump wants to go. It's only a question of Pentagon resistance.
Speaking only for myself, I regard our administration to be completely at fault for the entire mess in the Middle East. We are – and have been – the enablers, not only of the ethnic cleansing and murder of tens of thousands of innocents in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, but also the destabilization of Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria via deliberate US policy – all in the service of our masters in Tel Aviv. Now we're taking the next step – backing the attempt of Israeli war criminals to destroy the Iranian state.
I have no confidence in the current and continuing US policies re the rest of planet Earth – none.
Beginning in the early 1950's, I've observed my country struggle through long periods of hard times, both within our borders and without, but never have I ever witnessed such utter disregard for human rights and life as I've seen since the US decided at the end of the cold war that it would henceforth be the World's judge, jury, and executioner..
How convenient…! The latter part was doctored to justify Trump new threat…!
Borrow and spend. Bluster and be defeated. The US military has no honor. I'm betting Iran will embarrass the US even more than it has.
At this moment Iran is the only country that can bring down US hegemony…!
USA has grown accustomed to warfare without significant US casualties.
If Iran counterattacks and thousands of US troops perish, instead of introspection, there will be shrieking demands for drastic escalation and rage. "How dare Iran fight back?" . There will be many calling for the use of nuclear weapons.
As usual, US responds with more glands than neurons.
https://www.presstv.ir/Live
Now in English, showing that Iran is not seeking a larger conflict.
Excellent and honest news coverage.