Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei struck a defiant tone amid escalating US attacks, asserting that targeted killings and military strikes will not weaken the country’s armed forces. In a post on Telegram, he declared that “assassinations and crimes” would not disrupt Iran’s military operations.
The remarks come as US President Donald Trump renewed his threats against Tehran, dismissing concerns that striking Iranian power facilities could constitute a war crime. Speaking at the White House Easter egg roll on Monday, Trump said, “I'm not worried about it. You know the war crime? The war crime is allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump reiterated that the United States would continue targeting Iran’s infrastructure if the country fails to meet US demands. “And if they don't, they'll have no bridges. They'll have no power plants. They'll have no anything,” he warned. He added, “I won't go further, because there are other things that are worse than those two.”
The US president also suggested he would seize Iran’s oil reserves if politically feasible. “If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil… make plenty of money and I'd also take care of the people of Iran,” he said.
Trump’s statements came ahead of a Tuesday deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. While describing Iran’s recent response to a US ceasefire proposal as a “significant step,” he said it fell short of expectations, adding that the war could end quickly if Iran met specific conditions.
Khamenei’s defiance signals that despite Trump’s threats and ongoing US operations, Iran’s leadership remains determined to maintain military resilience and strategic autonomy.
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