Tehran. June 18 (V7N)- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a defiant message on social media, declaring that Iran will "never compromise with the Zionists" amid escalating regional tensions.

In a strongly worded post, Khamenei warned, “We will show no mercy to the Zionists,” followed by another statement asserting, “The war has begun.” These comments mark his first public response following recent threats from the United States.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, stating that “Iran must surrender unconditionally, otherwise the attack will intensify.” Trump further claimed that the US has successfully identified Khamenei’s current location but assured that “we will not kill him, at least not now.”

Reports suggest that last week President Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate the Iranian Supreme Leader. However, according to the London-based media outlet Iran International, despite the veto, Washington continues to support Israeli military actions against Iran.

In a significant development, US forces are reportedly in control of Iran’s airspace, intensifying fears of broader military engagement.

Possible Escalation

If the United States formally enters the conflict as a third party, military analysts warn of a dangerous escalation. Experts believe the war could rapidly expand into a full-scale regional conflict, dragging in proxy forces across the Middle East and potentially sparking global repercussions.

Meanwhile, questions remain about whether the United States has the capability to destroy Iran’s most secretive and fortified nuclear facilities. While the US military possesses advanced bunker-busting munitions and intelligence capabilities, analysts caution that a full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure would be extremely challenging and could take months of sustained operations.

The situation remains fluid, with the world closely watching for further developments.

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