The supreme leader Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has warned Washington against involvement in the ongoing Iran-Israel war, threatening severe consequences, the Tehran Times newspaper has reported.
"Prudent individuals familiar with Iran, its nation, and its history never speak to this nation with threats, because the Iranian nation cannot be subdued," he declared. "Americans must know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be met with irreparable harm."
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first message on state television since the Israel war started, said Iran will never surrender as demanded by Trump. His statement followed US President Donald Trump’s threats to target Ayatollah Khamenei and potential US military entry into the war to assist Israel. The Tehran Times said every Israeli action since Friday received full US support, coordination, and cooperation—though American jets have yet to directly engage.
The newspaper quoting analysts said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objectives in attacking Iran now require Trump to "bail him out" of the crisis.
The Guardian reported that thousands of people fled Tehran on Wednesday after Israeli warplanes bombed the city overnight, and reports emerged that Trump was considering options that include joining Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
Meanwhile, BBC reported, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday that Iran had the “legitimate” right to defend itself in the face of Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign. “It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel’s thuggery and state terrorism,” the Turkish leader said, a day after referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “the biggest threat to the security of the region”.
“These attacks were organised while the Iranian nuclear negotiations were taking place,” Erdogan said.
“Israel, which possesses nuclear weapons and does not recognise any international rules … did not wait for the negotiations to end, but carried out a terrorist act without waiting for the result.
“We are closely following Israel’s terrorist attacks on Iran. All our institutions are on high alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkey.
On Monday, Erdogan said he had ordered the Turkish defence industry to increase production of medium and long-range missiles to “increase its level of deterrence” in light of the air war between Israel and Iran.
