‘Battle begins, no mercy': Iran's warning to US & Israel after Trump demands Khamenei's surrender
Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday declared that 'the battle begins,' issuing a stern warning to Israel's 'terrorist Zionist regime' amid intensifying regional tensions. Khamenei's post came following escalating threats from US President Donald Trump, who had just hours before called for Iran's 'unconditional surrender."Moments later, Khamenei posted on X, 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.' The statement came shortly after Iran launched two rounds of ballistic missiles at Israel early Wednesday.Khamenei's posts appeared to frame the attacks as part of a broader ideological struggle. In Farsi, he posted 'the battle begins', alongside an image of a man with a sword entering a castle gate, alluding to the historic battle of Khaybar, as per the Times of Israel.Trump earlier had claimed the United States had full control of Iranian airspace and warned that the country's top leader was within reach. 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' Trump had wrote.'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' He later followed up with a post calling for Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!'Around 12:40 a.m., Iran launched a fresh round of missile attacks, setting off sirens across Israel as approximately 15 projectiles were fired. About 40 minutes later, a second salvo of roughly 10 rockets followed, triggering additional alerts in central Israel and the West Bank. While no casualties were reported, a fire ignited in a central Israeli parking lot, damaging multiple vehicles.Meanwhile, Israel continued its offensive inside Iranian territory. Early Wednesday morning, the Israel defense forces (IDF) called for residents of Tehran's District 18 to evacuate, citing upcoming military action targeting strategic infrastructure. Soon after, Israeli forces confirmed a new wave of airstrikes in Tehran. Reports also emerged of explosions in the city of Karaj, previously the site of a nuclear centrifuge facility targeted by Israeli strikes.Israel launched its military campaign six days ago, calling the assault necessary to dismantle what it described as an 'existential threat' posed by Iran's nuclear and missile programmes. According to Israeli officials, the ongoing operation aims to eliminate top Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, missile launch sites and uranium enrichment centres.The conflict has already caused significant casualties. Iranian authorities report at least 224 people killed in Israeli strikes, while Israel says over 370 missiles and hundreds of drones have been launched by Iran. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded.(With TOI inputs)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Who will succeed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei if Israel takes him down? Here are top 5 contenders
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a recent interview, sent out an overt assassination threat to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, suggesting that the latter's assassination would probably draw an end to the long-lasting tensions between the two nations. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz also issued a similar warning, saying Khamenei could meet the same fate as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Hours after he left the G7 Summit, US President Trump added to the warnings against Iran's leadership. He said the United States knows the exact location of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and could 'take him out," but is choosing not to — 'at least not for now". If Iran falls, the question is, who is going to succeed Khamenei? Mojtaba Khamenei is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's second son, and might be the most probable successor. Born in 1969, Mojtaba is deeply involved with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's clerical establishment. Mojtaba is currently a mid-ranking cleric with strong influence in the administration of the nation. Alireza Arafi is an extremely trusted aide of Khamenei. Arafi holds key positions, including deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, member of the Guardian Council, and Friday prayer leader in Qom. His has an enhanced knowledge and understanding of Iran's power structure. Ali Asghar Hejazi looks after the political security affairs at Khamenei's office. Known for his critical role in the administration, he has been overseeing Iran's intelligence handling and plays an irreplaceable role in decision-making in terms of defence and strategy. Mohammad Golpayegani has been serving as the chief of staff in Khamenei's office for a long time, and is one of his most trusted aides. Known for being Khamenei's extremely trusted, he has extensive knowledge of how the Iranian administrative system works. The Iranian constitution gives the power of succession to the assembly of experts. An 88-member body of senior clerics, who are elected every eight years, it is expected to deliberate in secret and even engage in appointing a leadership council rather than a single Supreme Leader. Crushing the chilling threats issued by Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that his country will show no mercy to the rulers of its enemy nation. 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,' he posted on X.
The Wire
32 minutes ago
- The Wire
Israel Strikes Iran Again: UN Nuclear Body Says Two Centrifuge Production Facilities Hit
Smoke rises from the building of Iran's state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. Photo: AP/PTI Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute Now Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday (June 18) refused to heed US President Donald Trump's call for an unconditional surrender. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public remarks since Friday in a statement that was read live on Iranian TV by a presenter. 'Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,' the statement on Wednesday said. 'The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,' it added. The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists (HRA) said that Israeli airstrikes on Iran have killed at least 585 people and wounded another 1,326 since hostilities escalated last week. The human rights group said it identified 239 of those killed as civilians and 126 as security personnel. Iran has not been publishing regular death tolls from the conflict. The most recent number cited by a Health Ministry spokesperson was 224 deaths, announced early on Monday. HRA cited nongovernmental sources in its report. The organization previously compiled detailed casualty figures during the 2022 protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who was arrested by Iran's 'morality police' in September of that year. Her death in custody sparked months of anti-government protests across Iran. Two centrifuge production facilities struck in Iran: IAEA The UN's nuclear watchdog said it had information that two facilities in Iran that made centrifuge parts have been hit. The International Atomic Energy Agency said: 'The TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center, were hit.' The agency added that both sites had previously been under IAEA monitoring. 'At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested. At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured,' the IAEA wrote on X. Centrifuges are machines used in enriching uranium, a process necessary for nuclear power and also nuclear weapons development. Iran's UN ambassador warns of response 'without restraint' to Israeli strikes Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahreini, said the country would 'respond strongly' to Israel's 'aggression' as well as to the United States, should it join the hostilities. 'We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land,' he told reporters in Geneva. 'We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint.' Bahreini accused the United States of being 'complicit in what Israel is doing.' 'We have given a message to the United States that we will respond very firmly and will stop the aggression by anybody — including the United States,' he said Bahreini also said Israeli strikes on nuclear sites were an act of 'war against humanity.' 'The deliberate targeting of Iran's nuclear facilities not only constitutes a grave violation of international law and UN Charter but also risks exposition of all people in our neighbourhood to possible hazardous leak,' he said. 'This is not an act of war against our country,' he said. 'It is war against humanity.' Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. Israel and the United States accuse Iran of working toward a nuclear weapon. The comments come as thousands flee Tehran and other major cities as Israel and Iran continuing launching strikes on one another. US President Donald Trump has called for Tehran's unconditional surrender. These updates first appeared on DW. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Will US join the Israel-Iran war? Ex-Harvard professor says his AI can predict wars
As the Israel-Iran war enters its sixth day, global concerns are growing over potential U.S. involvement. While President Trump claims the U.S. is not directly part of the conflict, American fighter jets have entered Iranian airspace, raising questions about Washington's role. Amid escalating missile exchanges, former Harvard professor Arvid Bell has introduced an AI tool called North Star, designed to simulate geopolitical scenarios and predict war outcomes. The system uses digital models of world leaders to forecast responses to military actions. While the AI aims to prevent war through early insights, critics warn of its potential misuse. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads AI That Predicts War: How It Works The Ground Reality: Sixth Day of Conflict Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US Involvement: Ambiguity and Pressure Can AI Prevent What Comes Next? As missile exchanges continue between Iran and Israel, the global community is on edge — not only over the potential spread of violence but also over whether the United States will deepen its involvement. While U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is not directly participating in Israel's ongoing military operations, the rhetoric and movement of American forces suggest a complex strategic stance. Meanwhile, an ex-Harvard academic claims that his AI system may already know what happens Business Insider, at the recent AI+ Expo in Washington, Arvid Bell, a former Harvard professor and current CEO of the startup Anadyr Horizon, showcased an AI tool called North Star. The system, designed in collaboration with Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ferenc Dalnoki-Veress, generates simulations of geopolitical conflict using artificial 'digital twins' of world leaders. These models respond to different scenarios — such as economic sanctions or military actions — offering probabilistic forecasts of how real-world events might AI was previously used to simulate the consequences of enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, predicting a 60% chance of further escalation by Russia. Some believe similar modeling could help anticipate developments in the Israel-Iran conflict and guide diplomatic choices before violence spirals out of Israel-Iran conflict, now in its sixth consecutive day, has escalated significantly. Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion' on June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear sites. Tehran responded with missiles and drones, claiming to have fired hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles into Israeli territory. The Israeli military has reported multiple missile barrages from Iran, with explosions heard in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes targeted military installations near Tehran, prompting civilian evacuation Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to retaliate without restraint, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared further attacks are imminent. Iran also claims to have hit intelligence sites in Tel Aviv, while Israel asserts that it has maintained control over Iran's death toll is rising. Iranian sources report over 220 fatalities, including dozens of civilians, while Israeli officials acknowledge at least 20 deaths on their side. Humanitarian concerns are mounting, with international groups confirming casualties and injuries on both President Trump's public denial of direct U.S. participation, he has issued a warning to Iran and called for its 'unconditional surrender.' Reports also confirm that U.S. fighter jets have entered Iranian airspace, raising questions about America's neutrality. At the G7 Summit in Canada, world leaders urged de-escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Trump was considering a ceasefire proposal, while Germany noted that Israel and the U.S. combined could potentially dismantle Iran's nuclear U.S. intelligence has acknowledged Iran's extensive ballistic missile arsenal, warning of its deterrent power across the region. Concerns have also emerged about Iran's ability to target American bases and hopes his AI model can offer early warnings to prevent conflicts rather than merely predict them. However, critics caution against over-reliance on such systems. Some fear that governments may act rashly based on AI-driven forecasts, possibly triggering the very wars they hope to avoid. Others are wary of the opaque nature of the technology and its funding links to defense-sector interest in the tool is growing. Anadyr Horizon has drawn support from high-level entities, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's office. Bell maintains that the system is meant to safeguard peace — not manipulate the situation between Israel and Iran intensifies, all eyes are on whether U.S. involvement will deepen — and whether AI might soon play a role in shaping not just how wars are fought, but whether they begin at all.
