Khamenei says Iran will never surrender, warns US of 'irreparable damage' if it intervenes

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on June 18 that the nation would never surrender and warned the US of "irreparable damage" if it intervenes, while Israel said it had destroyed the internal security headquarters in Tehran.

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TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on June 18 that the nation would never surrender and warned the US of "irreparable damage" if it intervenes, while Israel said it had destroyed the internal security headquarters in Tehran.

The speech came six days into the conflict, with Mr. Trump demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender" while boasting that the US could kill Mr. Khamenei, fuelling speculation about a possible intervention.

The long-range blitz between the two arch-enemies began on June 13, when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to respond with missiles and drones.

"Let the Americans know that the Iranian nation is not one to surrender, and any military intervention on their part will undoubtedly result in serious, irreparable consequences," Mr. Khamenei said in a televised national address.

"Those who are wise and familiar with Iran, its people, and its history, never speak to this nation in the language of threats," he warned.

"The President of America, in an unacceptable statement, explicitly urged Iranians to surrender, but we tell him: First, threaten those who are afraid of being threatened. Threats will not affect the thinking and behaviour of the Iranian nation."

Mr. Khamenei had earlier vowed that the country would show "no mercy" towards Israel's leaders.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said air force jets had destroyed Iran's internal security headquarters after the army announced it was striking military targets in Tehran.

"Air Force jets have just destroyed the internal security headquarters of the Iranian regime — the main arm of repression of the Iranian dictator," he said in a statement, vowing to "strike symbols of governance and hit the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be".