Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke his silence Monday night, declaring that Iran will not surrender to aggression, following its missile attack on a US military base in Qatar. This came in direct retaliation for US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
“We did not initiate this war, and we will not yield to attacks from anyone,” Khamenei said via a post on X.
Khamenei has reportedly gone into hiding since hostilities began, complicating efforts by US envoy Steve Witkoff to engage in diplomacy. U.S. officials told CNN that no major diplomatic decision can be made without his approval.
Caught in the Crossfire: Jordan Quietly Helps Shield Israel as Iranian Shrapnel Hits Home
Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Qatar, Prompting Regional Outrage
Iran launched missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, used by American, British, and Qatari forces. Though no casualties were reported, the strike drew immediate condemnation from several Arab nations and U.S. allies:
- Qatar: Called the attack a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty and reserved the right to retaliate.
- UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Authority: Issued strong rebukes, labeling it an “act of aggression.”
- France’s President Macron: Urged an end to the “spiral of chaos.”
Doha confirmed it intercepted the missiles, and officials said the base was evacuated beforehand, signaling that Iran may have warned Qatar in advance to avoid escalation.
🇮🇱 Israel Seeks to Conclude Its Offensive
Meanwhile, Israeli officials say they are close to wrapping up their campaign against Iran, with dozens of high-value targets already neutralized since the war began on June 13.
A senior official told Channel 12 that Israel may end its air and missile campaign within days, though it still retains the ability to escalate if needed.
Israel reportedly aims to mirror its containment strategy in Lebanon — continuing to strike at Iran’s infrastructure intermittently to prevent future threats.
Iran’s Retaliation & Damage So Far
Since the conflict began:
- Iran has fired 550 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel.
- 24 Israeli civilians have been killed, and thousands wounded.
- Attacks have damaged apartment buildings, a university, and a hospital.
In response, Israel and the U.S. have targeted Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, especially:
- Fordo (a heavily fortified underground enrichment site)
- Natanz
- Isfahan
Experts say the full extent of damage, especially at deep-buried sites like Fordo, may take time to verify
🇮🇷 Iran’s Position: Punish First, Then Talk
An Iranian official told Reuters that diplomacy could follow, but only after the U.S. and Israel cease their aggression. Iran’s leadership sees retaliation as a prerequisite for negotiation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also posted:
“We neither started the war nor seek it, but we will not leave any invasion of Iran unanswered.”
🇺🇸 Trump Stays Defiant
US President Donald Trump downplayed Iran’s counterstrike and focused on media criticism, insisting the nuclear sites in Iran were “totally destroyed.”
“Only the Fake News says otherwise,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump has also pressed Israel to scale down retaliation, warning against “violating” the fragile ceasefire.
Summary
- Khamenei declares Iran “will not surrender” as conflict intensifies.
- Iran attacks US base in Qatar — no casualties, but sparks Gulf condemnation.
- Israel signals wind-down of offensive, believing it has met key objectives.
- Diplomatic talks are frozen with Khamenei in hiding and both sides unwilling to budge.
- US and Israel airstrikes dealt serious blows to Iran’s nuclear facilities — but risk continued fallout.