Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a stern warning on Monday, stating that the United States would face a “strong blow” if it follows through on President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iran should Tehran refuse to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Washington.
Trump reiterated his warning on Sunday, insisting that Iran must accept his offer for talks, first proposed in a letter sent to Iran’s leadership in early March. He set a two-month deadline for Tehran to respond.
The U.S. president threatened military strikes and “secondary tariffs” on Iran if it did not agree to a new agreement regarding its nuclear program.
“The hostility from the U.S. and Israel has always been evident. They threaten us with attacks, though we find this unlikely. However, if they dare to act, they will undoubtedly receive a powerful retaliatory strike,” Khamenei declared.
He also warned that if the U.S. attempted to stir internal unrest in Iran, as allegedly seen in previous years, “the Iranian people themselves will respond accordingly.”
Iran Blames the West for Internal Unrest
Iranian authorities have long accused Western nations of fueling domestic instability, referencing protests such as the 2019 nationwide demonstrations over fuel price hikes and the 2022-2023 unrest following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for allegedly violating hijab regulations.
Iran Rejects Direct Talks with Washington
Last week, Iran formally responded to the U.S. letter, with President Masoud Pezeshkian stating on Sunday that Tehran would not engage in direct negotiations with Washington. However, he emphasized that Iran remains open to indirect discussions, following guidance from Khamenei.
During his first term (2017-2021), Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. The agreement had imposed strict limitations on Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the withdrawal, Trump reinstated sweeping economic sanctions on Iran.
Since then, Iran has significantly exceeded the uranium enrichment limits outlined in the 2015 agreement.
Western nations suspect Iran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons capabilities, as it continues to enrich uranium to levels beyond what is necessary for a civilian nuclear energy program.
However, Tehran insists that its nuclear activities are purely for peaceful energy purposes and denies any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons.