Iran’s supreme leader rejects US demands to surrender

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defiantly declared Wednesday that Tehran isn’t frightened by President Trump’s “absurd rhetoric” — as he rejected the United States’ demand to surrender in its war with Israel.

“The US President threatens us. With his absurd rhetoric, he demands that the Iranian people surrender to him. They should make threats against those who are afraid of being threatened. The Iranian nation isn’t frightened by such threats,” Khamenei said in a statement on X.

He vowed Iran would never back down and that any US strike would have “serious irreparable consequences.”

“The US entering in this matter is 100% to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter,” he raged.

“It was already suspected that the US was involved in the malicious move carried out by the Zionist regime, but considering their recent remarks, this suspicion is growing stronger day by day.”

Khamenei’s statements echoed remarks he made in a recorded speech played on state television Wednesday — hours after Trump demanded an “unconditional surrender” and warned the supreme leader that the US knew where he was.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”