Israel-Iran conflict: Tehran fires hypersonic missile - 10 key points

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday (June 18, 2025) the nation would never surrender as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump and warned the United States it would face “irreparable damage” if it intervenes.

“This nation will never surrender to imposition from anyone,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech read on state television. “America should know that any military intervention will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage.”

The remarks from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has only been seen once since the strikes began, came after Mr Trump demanded “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” in a social media post and warned Ayatollah Khamenei that the U.S. knows where he is but has no plans to kill him, “at least not for now.”