Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to the US on Monday, vowing a “strong blow” if President Donald Trump follows through on threats of “possible bombing” over a new nuclear deal.
Khamenei declared, “They threaten to do mischief. If it is carried out, they will definitely receive a strong counterattack.” This statement came in response to Trump’s warning of severe consequences, including bombing and secondary tariffs, if Iran rejects the proposed deal.
In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump stated, “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.” He indicated a timeline of several weeks for Iran to comply.
Khamenei also reiterated his call for the “eradication” of Israel, labeling it the “corrupt usurper Zionist regime.”
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed that Tehran had conveyed its stance to Trump through intermediaries in Oman, emphasizing that direct negotiations were rejected, but indirect talks could continue.