Iran’s Khamenei: ‘We Will Never Surrender—Not to War, Not to Peace’

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a televised address on Wednesday, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, praised what he described as the composed, courageous, and timely reaction of the Iranian people to recent Israeli aggression, which he referred to as "foolish and malicious." The remarks were reported by Tasnim News Agency.

The speech was delivered by a presenter and not by Ayatollah Khamenei himself.

Ayatollah Khamenei commended the public's conduct as a symbol of national maturity, rationality, and spirituality. "The Iranian nation will stand firm in the face of imposed war, just as it will firmly stand against imposed peace," he stated, asserting that the nation would never surrender to any form of external imposition.

The Supreme Leader condemned what he called "threatening and vulgar" remarks by the President of the United States, stressing that "those who possess intellect and know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history never speak to this nation in the language of threats." He warned that any U.S. military incursion would bring "irreparable damage" to the United States.

Ayatollah Khamenei opened his speech by commending the Iranian people's participation in Ghadir Day marches and other recent gatherings. He praised a female television presenter’s defiant on-air act, calling it a “historic and immensely valuable moment” symbolizing national strength.

According to Tasnim News Agency, he pointed out that the Israeli strike took place during a period when Iranian officials were engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States, noting that Iran had shown no sign of hostility or escalation.

"This incident occurred while our officials were engaged in indirect negotiations with the United States, and there was no indication of any aggressive, military, or harsh moves from the Iranian side," Khamenei said.

He suggested U.S. involvement in the Israeli action, saying this suspicion was becoming more credible due to recent American statements.

"Of course, from the outset, it was suspected that the U.S. had a hand in the Zionist regime’s malicious move—a suspicion that is being increasingly confirmed by recent statements from American officials," he said.

"The Zionist enemy must be punished, and is in fact being punished," he said, referring to ongoing and future actions by the Iranian nation and its armed forces.

The Iranian Supreme Leader reiterated that the Iranian nation stands firm against imposed war, imposed peace, and any kind of imposition. He added:

"I expect intellectuals, those with influence, and especially those connected to global public opinion, to clarify and explain these truths and meanings, and not allow the enemy to distort the reality through deceptive propaganda."

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Israeli offensive as a grave mistake that had weakened the regime, evidenced by the intervention of its American allies. He reiterated his rejection of U.S. threats and condemned any demands for Iranian surrender.

"The Zionist enemy must be punished, and is in fact being punished. The punishment carried out by the Iranian nation and its armed forces—ongoing and with plans for the future—is a harsh one and has weakened the enemy," he said, adding that, "The very fact that their American allies are stepping in is itself a sign of the Zionist regime’s weakness and helplessness."

Referring again to the "threatening and vulgar remarks" by the U.S. President, Khamenei said: "The U.S. President, in unacceptable statements, has openly asked the Iranian nation to surrender. But we tell them: First, threats work only on those who fear threats—and the Iranian nation believes in the noble verse: 'Do not weaken, do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are believers.' Therefore, threats will never affect the thoughts or behavior of the Iranian people."

Ayatollah Khamenei continued by stating that, "Second, telling the Iranian people to surrender is not a rational statement. Those who have wisdom and are familiar with the Iranian people and their history would never utter such a thing, because the Iranian nation is not submissive and will never yield to aggression."

He also added, "Americans and those familiar with the politics of this region know well that U.S. involvement in this issue will be entirely to its own detriment, and it will suffer a blow—one whose damage will be far greater than any Iran may endure."

He concluded by warning that any U.S. military intervention would result in severe consequences for Washington, saying that, "Any U.S. military intervention in this arena will undoubtedly bring irreparable harm upon them."

Emphasizing spiritual resilience, he encouraged Iranians—especially public servants and those engaged in outreach—to continue their work with strength and faith. "Victory is only from Allah, the Almighty, the Wise," he affirmed, asserting that divine triumph would be granted to the Iranian nation, to truth, and to justice.