Khamenei warns of strong blow if Trump acts on bombing threat
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday that the United States would face a strong blow if it follows through on President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran.
Trump has threatened airstrikes if Tehran refuses to engage in negotiations with Washington and strike a nuclear deal within two months.
Khamenei's warning, delivered in a televised speech marking the end of Ramadan, came a day after Trump told NBC News that if a deal was not reached, "there will be bombing — and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before."
"If any mischief is done by them [US and Israel], they will certainly receive a firm reciprocal blow," Khamenei said, according to his official website.
"If the enemies think they can instigate sedition within the country, the Iranian nation itself will respond to them," he added.
On Sunday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country rejects direct negotiations with the United States, but added that indirect talks can continue.
"The response by the Supreme Leader to Trump's letter was delivered to the US contact in Oman...In that response, direct negotiations have been rejected, but regarding indirect talks, Iran has always been involved in such talks, and the Supreme Leader has emphasized that indirect talks can still continue," Pezeshkian said.
Also on Sunday, Iran government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that "Iran's response to the sent letter was prepared and delivered," as Iran's foreign ministry stressed the confidentiality of the exchange letters.
Trump on Friday also warned that “bad, bad things” would happen if Tehran did not agree to a nuclear deal.
While Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon the UN's nuclear watchdog says it has enriched more uranium than any state lacking a bomb.
In February, Trump signed a directive restoring the so-called maximum pressure policy on Iran of his first term and warned of "catastrophic" consequences if Tehran does not make a deal on its nuclear program.
Trump’s maximum pressure approach in his first term, which started in 2018, pummelled Iran's economy, causing a dramatic decline in oil exports and skyrocketing inflation.
Earlier this week, Khamenei’s senior adviser Ali Larijani, as well as prominent economists in Tehran said that Iran needs to address its problems with the United States urgently in a bid to lift or reduce US sanctions and give the ailing economy a chance to grow after many years of crises and stagnation.
But on Monday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a forceful retaliation in case the Islamic republic is attacked by the United States. "They threaten to do mischief," Khamenei said, referring to threats from the United States, adding that "if it is carried out, they will definitely receive a strong counterattack."