By Suleman Chitera
TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that his country possesses the capacity to strike both Israel and the United States with a force far greater than what was demonstrated during the recent twelve-day conflict.
Speaking for the first time on the matter during a high-profile meeting with Iran’s judiciary officials — chaired by Chief Justice Gholam Hossein — Khamenei accused Israel of failing to confront Iran on its own and seeking America’s intervention during the war. Despite the combined efforts of the two nations, Khamenei claimed Iran emerged victorious, attributing the outcome to divine intervention.
Describing Israel as a “cancerous tumor” infecting the region, Khamenei said the only solution was to cut it off entirely. He also labeled the United States a “destructive force” fueling instability in the Middle East.
The Iranian leader stressed that his country is fully armed and prepared for war, adding that Iran would never enter a conflict from a position of weakness — a stance he said explained Iran’s resilience during the recent hostilities.
“If Israel were a nation of real men, it would have faced Iran alone instead of begging the United States to step in,” Khamenei declared.
He accused both Israel and the US of targeting Iranian leaders and launching bomb attacks inside Iran in hopes of weakening the Islamic Republic — efforts he said failed to bear fruit.
Khamenei also alleged that the two nations had attempted to incite public unrest within Iran, but credited God for thwarting those plans.
In a pointed warning, Khamenei vowed that any future aggression by Israel or the United States would be met with precise and severe retaliation.
The remarks have intensified concerns over escalating tensions in the region, with observers closely watching how both Israel and Washington will respond to Tehran’s latest threats.
