Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed on Wednesday that Iran would never surrender, as the country launched hypersonic missiles at Israel on the sixth day of war between the two long-standing foes.
The missile barrage followed Israel’s claim that it had destroyed Iran’s internal security headquarters in Tehran, alongside a new wave of strikes targeting missile sites in western Iran.
Khamenei, in a televised speech, rejected calls for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” made by US President Donald Trump, warning Washington against entering the conflict.
“This nation will never surrender. Any military intervention by America will lead to irreversible damage,” he declared.
Iran Deploys Hypersonic Arsenal
Iranian state television confirmed the deployment of Fattah hypersonic missiles and other long-range ballistic weapons, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced additional launches.
An Israeli military official stated that Iran had fired approximately 400 ballistic missiles and 1,000 drones since the fighting began last Friday. Around 20 missiles reportedly struck civilian areas within Israel.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said air force jets had destroyed Iran’s security HQ, as explosions rocked Tehran. Internet monitoring groups later reported an almost complete internet blackout across Iran, while the Fars news agency confirmed tighter online restrictions were imposed to curb what it called “hostile content.”
Trump Signals Possible US Role
President Trump appeared to leave the door open for a US military role, telling reporters he had “run out of patience” with Iran but had yet to decide on bombing the country. He hinted that regime change in Iran was a possibility, adding that Tehran’s leadership “could fall.”
The day before, Trump had claimed that the US could assassinate Khamenei but had chosen not to — “at least not for now.” Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump for his backing, calling him “a great friend of Israel.”
Diplomatic Openings Amid Chaos
Despite the escalation, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintained that Tehran remained open to diplomacy, insisting its actions were acts of self-defence.
“Iran has so far only retaliated against Israel, not its supporters,” he posted on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also weighed in, urging all parties to pursue a diplomatic solution that would ensure Israel’s security while safeguarding Iran’s right to a civilian nuclear programme. He clarified that Iran had not requested Russian military support.
Heavy Toll and Economic Disruption
Netanyahu acknowledged Israel’s “painful losses” in a televised address, noting 24 deaths and hundreds injured. Iran, for its part, said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 224 people — including nuclear scientists, military commanders, and civilians — although it hasn’t updated the toll since Sunday.
Beyond the immediate casualties, Iran is now facing internal shortages and economic strain. Residents report long fuel queues and scarcity of essentials like rice and sugar.
“People are shocked and distraught,” said a car dealer in Bukan, speaking anonymously to AFP.
Nuclear Facilities Targeted
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Israeli strikes also hit two key buildings in Karaj where components for nuclear centrifuges were made. A third facility in Tehran that produced and tested advanced centrifuge rotors was also damaged.
Centrifuges are vital for enriching uranium, which, depending on the level of purification, can be used in nuclear reactors or nuclear weapons. While Iran denies it seeks nuclear arms, Israel says the air campaign aims to halt Tehran’s ambitions.
Despite the conflict, Israel has never officially confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons, though the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates it holds around 90 nuclear warheads.