Previously, the supreme leader had adopted a more cautious tone following the Israeli air strikes on Iran last week.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Israel and the United States of a “crushing response” to their recent actions against Iran and its allies. This declaration, reported by state media, comes in the wake of Israeli air strikes on Iranian military sites last week.
Speaking to university students in Tehran, Khamenei emphasized that both the “Zionist regime” and the “United States of America” would face severe repercussions for their actions against Iran and its regional allies, including militant groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthis. This warning coincides with the anniversary of the 1979 US embassy takeover in Tehran, a pivotal moment that solidified the adversarial relationship between Iran and the West.
Khamenei’s remarks follow a more cautious stance he had previously taken, where he suggested that Iranian officials would carefully assess their response to Israeli military actions. Israel launched strikes against approximately 20 military bases in Iran, which it claims were necessary to counter threats posed by Iranian forces.
Tensions have escalated further as Israel responds to a ballistic missile barrage from Iran, launched earlier this month. This exchange of strikes raises the risk of wider conflict in a region already strained by ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
As the situation intensifies, US military deployments in the region are increasing. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional missile defense systems, fighter jets, and B-52 bombers to bolster American presence in response to potential threats from Iran and its allies.
With the US presidential election looming, both sides face a precarious situation, where any miscalculation could lead to a broader military confrontation.
