In Iran’s Eid Sermon: The U.S. and Israel Present with Warnings

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has vowed a firm response in the event of any attack on his country, directly responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to strike Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached.

During the Eid al-Fitr sermon, Khamenei, referring to Trump, stated: “They threaten to harm us… but if that happens, they will undoubtedly receive a firm response.”
He also warned against attempts to “sow internal discord,” emphasizing that the Iranian people would resist any conspiracies, just as they have in the past.

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He added: “The United States and the Zionist entity threaten to attack Iran, but they will face a powerful response.” He further asserted that any attack would be met with a “severe blow.”

The Supreme Leader declared that “hostility from the United States and Israel is constant,” adding that they “threaten to attack us, which we do not consider highly likely, but if they cause us any harm, they will undoubtedly receive a strong retaliation in return.”

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An Agreement or Military Action

In response, Washington has given Tehran an ultimatum: either agree to a nuclear deal or face military confrontation.

The White House stated in a Saturday evening press release that the U.S. is prepared to deal with Iran “either militarily or through a deal,” stressing that “the Iranian regime must prioritize the interests of its people over terrorism,” according to National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes.

These remarks came after Khamenei rejected Trump’s call for negotiations. In a meeting with senior Iranian officials, he declared: “Tehran will not succumb to pressure and bullying,” while firmly rejecting any restrictions on Iran’s missile program.

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The Maximum Pressure Policy

Trump had expressed his willingness to reach an agreement with Iran but continued to implement his “maximum pressure” strategy during his first term. In 2018, he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed harsh sanctions on Tehran, which led Iran to violate several provisions of the agreement, according to Reuters.

As Iran continues to accelerate uranium enrichment to levels close to weapons-grade, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has warned that time is running out for diplomatic efforts to enforce new restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

Tehran, however, insists that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes

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