Iran delivered a stark warning to Washington on Wednesday, declaring that any U.S. participation in the escalating conflict with Israel would provoke a full-scale regional war.
“Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region,” cautioned Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei during an interview with Al Jazeera.
Baghaei did not specify further actions, but Iran has access to numerous U.S. military installations scattered throughout neighboring nations, all within reach of its missiles.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, reinforced the warning, stating that any American offensive would have “serious irreparable consequences.”
He also rejected Trump’s insistence on unconditional surrender, stating that Iran would never submit to intimidation and stressing that his country would remain defiant.
“Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” Khamenei declared in a message read on Iranian state media.
“The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”
These aggressive declarations followed reports from U.S. officials who told the New York Times that Iran had begun arming missiles in preparation for potential strikes on American bases in the region, starting with those in Iraq.
Officials also indicated that Iran could attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, potentially trapping U.S. naval forces inside the Persian Gulf and drastically escalating the situation.
Tensions spiked further after Trump’s statement on Tuesday evening in which he warned Iran’s leader that the U.S. was aware of his exact location and demanded Tehran surrender.
“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 posted on Truth Social.
“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!”
Responding to Trump’s message, Iran’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva strongly condemned the remarks, labeling them inflammatory and unacceptable.
“The remarks made by Donald Trump are completely unwarranted, are very hostile. We cannot ignore them. We are vigilant about what Donald Trump is saying. We will put it in our calculations, in our assessments,” the ambassador told members of the press.
“There is a line, which if crossed, there should be a response on our side. Once the red line is crossed, the response will come.”
The ambassador also accused the United States of enabling Israel’s actions, stating, “We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint.”
Meanwhile, panic gripped Iran’s capital as large numbers of residents fled Tehran on Wednesday morning in the aftermath of an Israeli aerial assault on the city.
According to the Israeli military, 50 warplanes targeted approximately 20 strategic sites in Tehran, focusing on facilities tied to the production and assembly of missile components and materials.
In response, Iran launched a limited round of missiles at Israel, escalating the already tense and volatile confrontation.
{Matzav.com}