Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Asserts Iran Will Never Surrender Amid Rising Tensions with the U.S. and Israel

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued a firm declaration that Iran will never surrender, regardless of the pressure or threats it faces. In a televised message, Khamenei emphasized that Iran would stand resolutely against any attempt to impose war or unrest upon the nation.
According to the Tasnim News Agency, Khamenei stated, “This nation will resist against any imposed war or chaos. We will not bow to any decision forced upon us.” His remarks were in response to recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting that those familiar with Iran’s history know that threatening Iran has never been effective.
He added, “The people will not forget the blood of martyrs and the attacks on their land. Israel has made a grave mistake, and it will face the consequences.” Khamenei warned that any military intervention by the U.S. would result in severe and irreparable consequences.
This statement comes at a time of escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S., as well as ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel. The two nations have engaged in repeated attacks on each other, leading to both human and material losses.
In the latest development, Iran claimed to have shot down another Israeli F-35 fighter jet near Tabriz. Iranian state media reported that Iran’s air defense system successfully targeted and destroyed the stealth aircraft while it was flying within Iranian airspace. This brings the total number of Israeli F-35s allegedly shot down by Iran to five, with Iran having previously announced the downing of four such jets.
The claims have had a notable impact on the U.S. defense industry, with stocks of American military aircraft manufacturing companies experiencing a nearly 4% drop in a single day.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military dismissed Iran’s claims as “unsubstantiated” and “propaganda.” Iran also announced that it had downed an Israeli drone that violated its border, a claim that has been confirmed by Iranian state media.
As aerial confrontations between Iran and Israel continue to intensify, the region faces heightened tension, with global defense markets and stock exchanges also feeling the repercussions.