Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a stern warning to Israel, pledging a “painful and severe punishment” in response to deadly airstrikes that hit Tehran early Friday. The strikes, which Iran says targeted both military leaders and civilians, have triggered widespread condemnation and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
In a televised address, Khamenei called the attack a “criminal act,” accusing Israel of targeting residential areas and once again revealing its “evil nature.” He asserted that the Israeli regime had “committed a great crime” and warned that retribution was not only certain but imminent.
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While Iranian officials have yet to release the complete list of casualties, reports indicate that high-ranking figures, including IRGC Commander-in-Chief General Hossein Salami, may have been among the dead. The Iranian Armed Forces confirmed that key locations, including homes of senior officials, were struck in the early morning barrage.
Khamenei assured Iranians that the country would not remain silent. “This cowardly aggression will not go unanswered,” he said. “The Zionist regime and its allies should await a crushing response. This is a promise.”
Israel has defended the strikes as preemptive, claiming they were aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities. However, Iranian officials argue that civilian areas were deliberately targeted and accused the U.S. of backing the assault.
