Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has issued a fierce warning to Israel in the wake of deadly airstrikes on Iranian territory early Friday. The attacks, which targeted key sites in Tehran, reportedly resulted in the deaths of senior military leaders and civilians.
In a televised address aired by Iranian state media, Khamenei denounced the Israeli assault as a “criminal act,” accusing Tel Aviv of once again exposing its “evil nature” by striking residential areas.
“The Zionist regime has committed a grave crime by attacking both our civilians and commanders,” Khamenei said. “This barbaric act further reveals the wickedness of the regime. Israel must brace itself for a painful and severe punishment.”
His remarks followed confirmation from the Iranian Armed Forces that Israeli missiles had hit several locations in the capital, including the homes of top officials. While the government has yet to release an official list of casualties, local reports indicate that high-ranking IRGC figures, including Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, may have been among the dead. Confirmation is still pending.
Promising a decisive response, Khamenei assured the Iranian people that retaliation is certain.
“This cowardly aggression will not remain unanswered,” he said. “The Zionist regime and its allies should expect a crushing response. This is not a threat — it is a promise.”
The Israeli military described the strikes as “preemptive and precise,” claiming they were aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Iranian officials, however, accused Israel of deliberately hitting civilian infrastructure as well as military sites.
The airstrikes mark a dramatic escalation in long-simmering tensions between Iran and Israel, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s Armed Forces, condemned the strikes as “savage” and warned that Israel would “pay a heavy price.” He also pointed to U.S. complicity in the attacks.
As Iran mourns its losses and assesses the extent of the destruction, Khamenei’s message signals the beginning of what could be a volatile new chapter in the Iran-Israel confrontation.
