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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has warned that Tehran is prepared to strike back harder if attacked again, following last month's ceasefire with Israel.
"If the enemy repeats its aggression, the response will be stronger than the blow it received during the 12-day war," he said, referring to the conflict between the two countries.
The conflict, which began on June 13th, involved both Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets.
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Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Khamenei's statement underscores Tehran's readiness to escalate military retaliation, signaling that the ceasefire may not mark an end to hostilities. With tensions remaining high between Iran, Israel, and the U.S., the warning highlights the fragile nature of peace in a region prone to rapid escalation. His comments also reflect Tehran's perception of external threats not only as military challenges but as attempts to destabilize the Iranian system itself.
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What to Know
In his speech on Wednesday, Khamenei accused Israel of seeking to weaken Iran's system by targeting key figures and sensitive sites during last month's war. "The calculation and plan of the aggressors was to weaken the system by targeting certain figures and sensitive centres in Iran," he said. "It was meant to stir unrest and bring people into the streets to overthrow the system." Khamenei warned that those behind the attacks "would have to adapt their stance before they are totally wiped out."
"Dog on a Leash"
Khamenei also described fighting the U.S. and its "dog on a leash" Israel as "praiseworthy," framing the conflict as part of a larger ideological struggle. This rhetoric reinforces Tehran's longstanding narrative that its resistance against Western and Israeli pressure is a matter of national survival.
Nuclear Threat
Earlier, Iranian state media reported that Tehran may boost uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels. It also warned that it could exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if European powers trigger the UN snapback sanctions mechanism by the end of August. The deadline was set by the U.S., France, Germany, and the U.K. amid ongoing stalled nuclear talks.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump acknowledged Iran's interest in talks but expressed no urgency, citing recent U.S. military strikes that "obliterated" Iranian nuclear sites.
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What People Are Saying
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: "If the enemy repeats its aggression, the response will be stronger than the blow it received during the 12-day war."
US President Donald Trump: "They [Iran] would like to talk. I'm in no rush to talk because we obliterated their site."
What Happens Next
With Khamenei's vow of a fiercer response, the ceasefire remains tenuous. Iran's signals of readiness for further conflict mean the region faces ongoing instability, as both Tehran and Israel maintain vigilant military postures.
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