'Iran won't surrender': Khamenei warns US against military action, says Israel will be punished

His remarks came after Trump dramatically stepped up his rhetoric against Iran's supreme leader Tuesday

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday issued a sharp warning to Israel and United States during a televised message. He firmly stated that the country will not surrender to anyone or accept an imposed peace or war.

Khamenei said that people will not forget the blood of "martyrs" and the attack on their territory, according to the country's Mehr news. He added that Israel made a huge mistake and will be punished for that.

Issuing a warning to the United States, the supreme leader told them that joining the Israeli strikes targeting the Islamic Republic will result in "irreparable damage" for them.

“The Americans should know that the Iranian nation will not surrender and that any military intervention by them will undoubtedly cause irreparable damage,” he said.

The remarks by the 86-year-old supreme leader came a day after Trump demanded Tehran's "unconditional surrender".

Trump said Tuesday the US knows where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is hiding during the Israel-Iran conflict but doesn't want him killed “for now.” "We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme Leader" is hiding,” Trump said. “He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”

In a separate post, he appeared to demand Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" as the conflict between the two nations continued to escalate.

Khamenei also took to X and wrote, "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."

Russia has also warned US over military assistance to Israel, saying it could radically destabilise the situation in the Middle East -- where an intense air war continue for a sixth consecutive day on Wednesday.

Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned the US against direct military assistance to Israel or even considering such "speculative options," according to Russia's Interfax news agency.

"This would be a step that would radically destabilise the entire situation," it cited him as saying.