Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, warning that any American military intervention would lead to “irreparable damage.” His remarks came amid intensifying Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and growing speculation that Washington could directly enter the conflict.

Khamenei, 86, delivered a defiant message in a televised address—his first public appearance since Friday—declaring that the Iranian people would never bow to threats. “Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” he said.

The speech followed comments by Trump, who told reporters outside the White House that he had not yet decided whether the U.S. would join Israel’s bombing campaign. “It’s very late to be talking,” he said, referring to previous Iranian outreach efforts. “There’s a big difference between now and a week ago. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

Trump posted on social media Tuesday for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” He also appeared to threaten Khamenei directly, hinting at possible targeted strikes.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have ramped up their offensive. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that 50 fighter jets struck approximately 20 locations in Tehran overnight. Targets included production sites for missile components and raw materials. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the military would continue to “strike at symbols of governance” within Iran. “As we promised – we will continue to strike at symbols of governance and hit the Ayatollah regime wherever it may be,” he said.

The escalating violence has caused mass panic in Tehran. Highways leading out of the capital have become jammed as thousands of residents flee the city, following Israeli warnings to evacuate areas near likely military targets. Among the facilities struck in the latest round of bombings was Iran’s internal security service headquarters, a major blow to the country’s domestic intelligence network.

Despite rising tensions and international calls for de-escalation, both Iran and Israel appear committed to pressing forward, while the U.S. continues to signal a possible shift from diplomatic restraint to military involvement. As the conflict widens, the threat of a broader regional war looms ever larger.