Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a strong response after Iran's strike on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. He emphasized that Iran "did not harm anyone" during the operation and declared that the nation would never submit to aggression. Posting on X, Khamenei affirmed that "those who know the Iranian people and their history know that the Iranian nation isn't a nation that surrenders."

This statement followed Iran’s launching of 14 missiles—most intercepted by Qatari defenses—as retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The IRGC described the attack as “devastating and powerful,” though Khamenei stressed the absence of civilian harm and framed the action as a defensive measure.

Diplomacy in Parallel

Khamenei’s posts also came just before President Trump announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran, brokered with help from Qatar. Yet, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi clarified that no formal ceasefire agreement exists at this time. He stated that Iran would halt its response only if Israel ceases its military activity by Tehran time 4 a.m.; otherwise, Iran "has no intention to continue our response".

Context and Significance

• Show of strength: Khamenei’s messaging underlines Iran’s stance of resilience, rejecting any suggestion of capitulation and signaling readiness to escalate if needed.
• Limited conflict expansion: Advance warnings to Qatar meant no casualties—suggesting Iran intended a symbolic show of resolve rather than full-scale war.
• Diplomatic ambiguity: While Trump’s ceasefire announcement portrayed the situation as cooling, Tehran’s own statements make clear that any pause hinges on reciprocal Israeli actions.