Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, has responded following threats from US President Donald Trump. He stated, "War has begun." This message was conveyed in a social media post, as reported by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera.
Khamenei's message came on Tuesday night (June 17), at a time when President Trump had made several comments targeting the Iranian leader.
According to Al Jazeera's report, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reacted for the first time after US President Donald Trump issued death threats against him. On Tuesday, he wrote a message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter): "In the name of the dignified Haydar, war has begun."
The report further clarifies that "Haydar" is another name for Imam Ali (RA), the fourth caliph of Islam and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Shia Muslims, including those in Iran, consider him their first Imam.
Despite Trump's threats, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated that Iran would retaliate severely against any Israeli attack.
The Iranian Supreme Leader wrote in English on X, "We must deliver a harsh response against our terrorist Zionist regime. We will show no mercy to the Zionists."
Earlier, President Donald Trump had alluded to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a social media post, saying, "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding."
The US President also added, "He's an easy target, but safe there - we won't take him out (kill him!), at least not now. But we don't want missiles launched at civilians or American troops. Our patience is rapidly dwindling."
Shortly before that, in another post, Trump stated, "Iranian airspace is under our control." Immediately following these two posts, President Trump wrote in a third post, "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"
