Iranian officials have reacted angrily to US President Donald Trump’s public suggestion that the United States could eliminate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The remark, made amid growing military tensions between Israel and Iran, is being seen in Tehran and Moscow as a dangerous escalation — one that could ignite a regional war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the statement, describing it as deeply inappropriate and provocative. He said the United States had crossed every line of diplomatic decency and that Iran would never tolerate such rhetoric.
The threat comes as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict continues to spiral. Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory have intensified, and Iran has retaliated with missiles that struck Tel Aviv and Haifa. The conflict now threatens to widen beyond bilateral hostilities.
In an interview with NBC News, Araghchi told Andrea Mitchell that Trump’s statement was “an insult, not a threat,” and added that it was unbecoming of a nation that presents itself as a global superpower.
Russia swiftly condemned the remarks. According to Russian Gazeta, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Russia considers it unacceptable for Western countries to engage in conversations and take actions to overthrow the government in Iran.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin categorically ruled out any dialogue on eliminating Iran’s leadership, stating that such talk was destabilizing and counterproductive, according to the same source.
On Thursday, Trump told Fox News that Iran’s leadership “should understand that they are not immune,” hinting at direct targeting. He further repeated his call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender”, a phrase widely interpreted as demanding total capitulation, including ending all military and nuclear development, without negotiation.
European leaders voiced alarm. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said such language made diplomacy almost impossible, while the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned it could embolden Israeli hardliners and dismantle backchannel talks between Tehran and Brussels.
Israel has attempted to justify its aggression under the guise of self-defense — a narrative widely rejected by the international community, particularly in the Global South, where the attacks are viewed as unlawful provocations intended to provoke all-out war.
Iran’s Armed Forces have since elevated their alert status. State television reported the deployment of air defense systems around nuclear facilities and government centers. IRGC commanders warned that any credible assassination attempt against Khamenei would trigger “missile saturation” against US and Israeli bases in the region.
China issued a statement through its Foreign Ministry expressing concern over the escalation, urging all parties to show restraint. In a rare move, Beijing aligned with Moscow in calling for an emergency BRICS+ security summit.
According to Sky News, Trump responded to a question on whether he would discourage Israel from further airstrikes by saying, “It’s very hard to ask Israel to stop attacks. They’re defending their existence. Iran needs to surrender — fully.”
Within Iran, the public response was swift and resolute. According to France24, tens of thousands gathered in Tehran following Friday prayers, voicing outrage over Trump’s remarks and Israel’s escalating attacks. Protesters chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” while carrying placards pledging loyalty to Iran’s leadership. One banner read, “I will sacrifice my life for my leader.” The demonstration, broadcast by state media including Press TV, was among the most significant anti-Western mobilizations in recent years, reflecting Iran’s defiance against what officials described as an orchestrated campaign of aggression.
Contrary to Western narratives, multiple Arab and Islamic nations have jointly condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran, not the other way around. In a unified statement issued following an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers, countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and Algeria denounced Israel’s aggression and urged immediate de-escalation. The declaration emphasized Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty and called on international institutions to hold Tel Aviv accountable for its violations.
Tehran officials are now demanding an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. Iran’s ambassador to the UN stated that the US president’s remarks amounted to a state-sanctioned threat of political assassination, a violation of the UN Charter.
Analysts warn that hostile US rhetoric, including President Trump’s threats against Iran’s leadership and demands for unconditional surrender, appears to have unintentionally strengthened hardliners in Tehran. According to Responsible Statecraft, Sina Toossi, a senior non‑resident fellow at the Center for International Policy and former analyst with the National Iranian American Council, noted that confrontational policies in Washington often reinforce hardliners in both countries. He wrote that anti‑diplomacy efforts “play right into the hands of Iran’s most zealous elements, who require anti‑Americanism as a legitimizing force”
Russia, meanwhile, is working with China and Iran to draft a resolution at the United Nations condemning “assassination rhetoric” and warning against foreign-led regime change initiatives. While a US veto is expected, Moscow appears determined to isolate Washington diplomatically.
Russian Gazeta noted that Russian diplomats are privately warning European counterparts that the Trump administration is “deliberately provoking” Iran in order to justify a broader military confrontation.
Back in Washington, criticism has emerged from both Democrats and some Republicans. Senator Rand Paul called the idea of assassinating a foreign leader “a grotesque violation of international law.” Representative Ro Khanna urged Congress to reclaim its war powers and prevent the president from “plunging us into another endless war,” accordingt to Thomas Massie.
According to Jordantimes, that Tehran has signaled that it is preparing for all eventualities. In a Friday sermon, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Iran would never bow to threats or ultimatums. “We are a nation of resistance,” he said. “They think eliminating a leader can break our spirit. But Iran is not built on one man. It is built on dignity, honor, and sacrifice.”
