Trump-Khamenei Duel
Trump-Khamenei Duel
As the sixth day of Israel’s military attack on Iran continues and the country is practically nearing a state of war, the leader of the Islamic Republic claimed in a video message broadcast on official television on Wednesday, June 28, that normal life in Iran continues. This claim contradicts the widespread wave of thousands fleeing from Tehran and other central parts of the country.
Ali Khamenei’s remarks, recorded from an undisclosed location under heavy security measures, are a clear attempt to display control and stability at a time when Iran faces one of the greatest direct military threats in recent decades. He described Israel’s attack on Iran as a malicious act and warned against direct U.S. intervention, stating that such an action would undoubtedly result in irreparable damage for the United States.
Emphasizing that neither peace nor war can be imposed on the Islamic Republic, he tried to convey a sense of independent neutrality and ideological resistance to the audience. However, these statements have taken on a defensive tone in the absence of an official declaration of war and amidst escalating attacks. The leader of the Islamic Republic, while avoiding the word ‘war’, referred to the current situation as an imposed war and emphasized the people’s resilience, noting that just as the Iranian nation stood against imposed peace, it will not surrender now. This expression clearly refers to the historical experience of the Iran-Iraq war and the subsequent negotiations.
In recent years, Ali Khamenei repeatedly rejected negotiations with the Trump administration, stating that neither war would occur nor negotiations would take place. However, with Trump’s return to power and the intensification of external pressures, he ultimately agreed to five rounds of negotiations between the Iranian team and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat and Rome. The recent remarks of the leader of the Islamic Republic were broadcast in a context where media speculation about U.S. involvement in military operations against Iran had intensified, a subject that was further amplified by the confirmation of a security meeting at the White House.
Donald Trump also announced on Tuesday that he left the G7 summit in Canada due to what he called a more important issue than the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel and returned to Washington. This move is perceived as a serious signal of the potential intensification of U.S. intervention. Before the summit, Mr. Trump, in posts on Truth Social, called for the unconditional surrender of the Islamic Republic, a harsh demand that analysts see as a sign of maximum political and media pressure.
In response, Ali Khamenei described this request as threatening and ugly, evaluating it at the level of the Iranian nation. He emphasized that those who have sense and know Iran and its history never speak to the Iranian nation with the language of threat because they know the people will not surrender. Khamenei also referred to Trump’s remarks about knowing his hideout and said they threaten us, a response indicating an effort to reduce the personalization of tension in the future.
The Iranian leader added that the Israeli attack occurred at a time when the country’s officials were engaged in indirect negotiations with the U.S., and there was no sign of a military option from Iran. This strategic response aims to separate the Israeli attack from Iran’s nuclear file. Trump had previously stated that he had given Iran 60 days to sign the nuclear agreement, and on the sixty-first day, Israel attacked, a plan that analysts view as indicative of combined media and diplomatic pressure.
The Israeli Prime Minister, who considers Iran’s nuclear program a vital threat, described this operation as a response to Tehran’s stalling and ordered the attack. Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the destruction of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs are the main goals. Israeli officials also appreciated U.S. military support, although Washington has not yet made a final decision regarding entering the operation.
Khamenei, while emphasizing the need to punish Israel, referred to the reaction of the armed forces, saying they are currently being punished and have plans for the future. The official appearance of these claims indicates Tehran’s pursuit of maintaining diplomatic leverage and tactical intimidation. However, compared to past speeches that contained harsh rhetoric, this time Khamenei adopted a relatively milder tone, refraining from direct attacks on the U.S. and its leadership, and focused threats at the level of the Iranian nation, a strategy aimed at reducing focus on himself and targeting public support.
With the beginning of Israeli attacks on June 13, Khamenei remained in hiding, a point Trump claims to know about. Netanyahu also stated that removing the leader will not exacerbate the crisis but will end the war, a statement reflecting Israeli aggressive thinking. In Persian-language media and social networks, analyses suggest that the leader and his close associates are hiding in a secure shelter while a large number of high-ranking commanders have been killed and Tehran is left without guidance under wartime conditions.
Statements by Netanyahu and the Israeli army spokesman regarding the necessity of evacuating Tehran led to a mass exodus from the capital, a situation that heightened concerns and prompted Trump to tweet a warning that the evacuation of Tehran continues and more people are leaving the capital.
However, Khamenei made no mention of the problems faced by millions of Tehran residents, the killed commanders, or humanitarian disasters, a choice that might have been planned to avoid creating a leadership vacuum and to maintain a powerful image. He ended his speech with a smile, contrary to his usual demeanor. From a human rights perspective, according to reports by HRANA, at least 585 people were killed and over 1,300 wounded in the first five days of the Israeli attack. In contrast, Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israel resulted in 24 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Recent developments indicate the complexities of the Israel-Iran war, encompassing military, diplomatic, humanitarian, and economic dimensions. While international pressures and military threats continue, the possibility of diplomatic negotiations is also on the table. However, the current situation shows that both sides are seeking to preserve their national interests, and new developments in this area are likely to occur in the near future.