Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected a request for President Trump’s unconditional surrender as Iranians blocked the highway from Tehran.
Some MAGA Republicans are opposed to Israeli and Iran’s US policies
The Israeli-Iran conflict separates Republicans whether the US should be involved.
WASHINGTON – Iran’s supreme leader warned the United States of “irreparable damage” if he joined Israel’s air force war on Tehran’s nuclear program, saying his country “is not a person facing imposed.”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s speech came after President Donald Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” in a social media post, and then Iranians blocked a highway from Tehran, where Israeli airstrikes were escaped.
A recorded speech on television on June 18th – his first appearance in five days – Khamenei said “the damage that America will suffer when military intervention in this area is undoubtedly irreparable.”
Khamenei’s rebellious speech sent civilians who fled for security in Tehran and Tel Aviv after six nights of airstrikes by Israel and Iran.
“The Iranian state, the Iranian state, and the intelligent people who know its history will never speak to this country in threatening language because the Iranian state will not surrender,” he said. On June 17, Trump personally threatened Khamenei, hiding a “easy target” from him.
Trump is heading to suggest that the United States may join in search of a quick diplomacy end to the war. In a social media post Tuesday, he threatened Khamenei by saying that Iranian leaders were safe “for now.”
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Since 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been the supreme leader of Iran and has retained absolute power in the Islamic Republic through mass uprisings, assassinations, and the massive and current expansion of Tehran’s regional power.
Khamenei lost top military leaders and most important nuclear scientists in Israeli air attacks last week, and was later personally threatened by President Trump. Here are some of the things he had to say at the address on June 18th:
- “…The US President recently opened his mouth to threaten us. He is threatening and explicitly urged by the Iranian state to “come and surrender to me and surrender” in a ridiculous, unacceptable statement! “When a person observes these things, he is truly amazed. ”
- “The Iranian state cannot surrender. We are not exposed to anyone.
- “And of course, Americans familiar with the politics of the region know that America’s intervention on this issue is 100% at their disadvantage.
- “Life is progressing normally. Thank God. Don’t let your enemies feel that you are afraid of him.
The Israeli military said 50 Israeli jets attacked around 20 targets overnight in Tehran, including sites that produce raw materials, ingredients and manufacturing systems for missiles. The military told Iranians to leave parts of the capital for safety while attacking their targets.
Transportation was backed up on highways that run from cities of 10 million. Alezu, 31, told Reuters he was in the nearby resort town of Rabasan.
“We will remain here as long as this war continues. The house of a friend in Tehran has been attacked and my brother is injured. They are civilians,” she said. “Why are you paying the government’s decision to pursue a nuclear program?”
In Israel, sirens warned people of Iran’s retaliatory missile strike. It was a Ramatgan city station east of Tel Aviv and lay on a mattress set up by the city along the floor.
“I’m scared and overwhelmed. I especially live in a dense area where Iran appears to be targeting, and our city has very old buildings with no shelter and safe spaces,” said Tamar Weiss, who holds her four-month-old daughter.
– Reopener
As Israeli-Iran’s trade explodes in an escalating aviation war, Israel is trained to take away Iran’s nuclear facilities. And they are seeking the help of the US military.
Israel wants to drop the bombs as it cannot reach the depth needed to destroy underground facilities.
To completely destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, you will need a massive 30,000-pound weapon intruder (MOP) bomb, or a “bunkerbuster” that the Israeli military doesn’t have.
But Israel could use small, pervasive weapons to collapse the entrance to Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, a retired Air Force colonel and intelligence officer Scott Murray told USA Today. Israel was able to effectively ban Iran from recovery efforts at the site.
“Think of it as a workless zone that’s patrol from above,” he said. “The advantage of the Air buys incredible capabilities and flexibility.”
– Cybele Mayes-Osterman and Tom Vanden Brook
Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi still provides the clearest signal on the goals of Israeli air campaigns, informing Local Channel 12 News on June 17 that the military is chasing Iran’s most difficult target, the Fordo nuclear enrichment plant.
“This operation cannot be concluded without a strike at Ford’s nuclear facility,” said Hanegbi.
Built on the mountains to withstand air strikes, Fordo has 1,000 centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Hanegbi revealed that the Israeli war would only end after Ford was attacked.
Analysts say they will take a US “Bunkerbuster” bomb that was dropped from an American plane. But Hanegbi said Israel was ready to go to it alone.
“We’re not trying to convince Americans to join,” he said. “The Prime Minister has had a close and intimate dialogue with President Trump, but he has never received a promise from the US to participate.”
Hanegbi added that the plan is “completely blue and white.” He is completely Israeli, without external military support.
-kim hjelmgaard
