Iran's Khamenei warns of ‘irreparable damage’ if US intervenes in Israel conflict

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected U.S. demands for surrender following days of intensified Israeli airstrikes, warning that any American military involvement would inflict “irreparable damage” on the United States.

His message, delivered in an official statement read on state TV, came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric, calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and suggesting he knew Khamenei’s whereabouts, but had “no plans to kill him—at least not for now.”

The sharp exchange underscores fears that the conflict between Israel and Iran could spiral further into a regional war, with U.S. forces already repositioned in the Gulf and tensions running high across the region.

Khamenei said those familiar with Iran and its history “never speak to this nation with the language of threats,” asserting that “the Iranian nation is not one to surrender.”

A video of his address is expected to air later, part of a pattern of delayed broadcasts believed to be a security measure. His exact location remains unknown.

Earlier Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned that any American intervention would risk “all-out war.”

Meanwhile, Iran reiterated its commitment to enriching uranium for what it described as “peaceful purposes,” resisting Washington's demands to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

The Israeli military said its latest airstrikes targeted a centrifuge manufacturing plant and a missile component facility in Tehran, as well as storage sites in western Iran. The U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Israel struck two centrifuge production sites.

Israel’s attacks over the past five days have reportedly killed several top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists.

A U.S.-based Iranian rights group said at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have been killed and over 1,300 injured since the conflict began.

Iran, for its part, has launched nearly 400 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel, with 24 reported deaths and hundreds wounded. While the rate of Iranian missile launches has declined, Israel has continued targeting missile launchers and support infrastructure.

In Tehran, shops remained shuttered and fuel stations saw long lines as explosions continued to shake the capital. Authorities remained silent on the latest attacks, consistent with recent patterns amid escalating Israeli raids.

One strike reportedly targeted Hakimiyeh, an eastern Tehran neighborhood that hosts a Revolutionary Guard academy.

Despite Israel’s strikes on nuclear sites, Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, insisted the country would continue producing enriched uranium “as far as we need for peaceful purposes.”

He downplayed the impact of the strikes, stating that “our scientists will continue their work.”

Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state enriching uranium up to 60%, a level just short of weapons-grade. While Tehran claims its nuclear program is peaceful, U.S. intelligence assessments say Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months if it chooses.

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport resumed limited flights Wednesday after a four-day shutdown due to Iranian missile threats. Two repatriation flights from Cyprus landed in Tel Aviv, airport officials confirmed. — Agencies