Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued a strong warning to Israel and the United States, pledging a powerful “teeth-breaking” response following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities.
Khamenei’s comments, reported by Iranian state media, came during a meeting with students in Tehran, just days ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 US Embassy seizure. He emphasized that Iran’s response to hostile actions from Israel and the US would be decisive, particularly as tensions have escalated since Israel’s recent strikes targeting Iranian interests.
Referring to Iran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, Khamenei remarked, “The enemies, both the US and the Zionist regime, should know that they will definitely receive a teeth-breaking response for what they are doing against Iran and the resistance front.” He further stressed that Iran is strengthening its defenses in preparation for any potential confrontation.
Tensions between Iran and Israel have been rising, particularly since the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, which led to intensified military action in Gaza and confrontations with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Just last week, Israel openly acknowledged strikes on Iranian targets, marking a significant escalation, though they avoided Iranian energy and nuclear infrastructure.
In a separate statement, a high-ranking Iranian source informed CNN that Iran is considering a strong and timely response, potentially before the US presidential elections. Khamenei initially responded more cautiously to the October 25 strikes, advising that they should “neither be exaggerated nor downplayed.” However, his latest comments indicate a readiness for a forceful response.
The White House also issued a warning, stating that any retaliatory action by Iran would prompt US support for Israel. In addition, Iran has hinted at advancing its missile capabilities should it feel threatened, with officials reiterating that while the country has the technology to produce nuclear arms, they remain restricted by Khamenei’s stance against weapons of mass destruction.