Khamenei dismisses Trump ultimatum, vows firm response if attacked

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei shrugged off warnings of a potential military confrontation with the United States if a nuclear deal was not reached, asserting that any aggression against Tehran will be met with a 'harsh slap'.

“Americans must know that threats will get them nowhere in confronting the Islamic Republic,” he said during a nationally broadcast speech in Tehran on Friday. “If anyone commits villainy against the Iranian people, they will be struck with a harsh slap.”

The remarks follow reports that US President Donald Trump sent Khamenei a direct letter earlier this month offering negotiations under a limited timeframe. According to Axios, the message included a two-month window to reach a new nuclear agreement, paired with a warning of consequences should Iran further expand its nuclear program.

The letter was described as firm in tone and was reportedly shared in advance with close US allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Tehran has acknowledged receiving the letter, but has not commented publicly on its contents. The Iranian foreign ministry has criticized Washington’s approach, accusing the US of sending mixed signals, and said any official response would remain private.

While Khamenei has publicly ruled out negotiations under pressure, other officials have appeared more flexible. Last week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that indirect talks with the United States could be possible, potentially through intermediaries such as Oman.

“It is not a strange method, and it has happened repeatedly throughout history,” Araghchi said in an interview with the Iran newspaper. “What is important is the will to negotiate under fair and equal conditions; the form it takes does not matter.”

Khamenei, however, offered no acknowledgment of that possibility in his speech. “We have never been the ones to start a conflict,” he said. “But if someone acts with malice, the response will be firm.”

He also rejected Western descriptions of Iran’s role in the region, denying that Tehran relies on proxy forces. “The Islamic Republic has no need for proxies,” he said. “The people of Yemen and the resistance centers stand and fight on their own.”

The comments come as the US escalates military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi fighters, who have attacked shipping in the Red Sea in support of Gaza. Washington blames Tehran for arming the group with advanced weaponry.

This week, Trump demanded Iran end all Houthi support, warning of “dire” consequences. “Iran must stop the sending of these supplies IMMEDIATELY,” he posted on TruthSocial. Over the weekend and again Monday, US airstrikes hit Houthi positions, with Yemeni officials reporting dozens killed.

Despite denials from Tehran, US officials view the Houthis as a key pillar of Iran’s regional strategy.

Friday's speech came one day after Khamenei’s annual New Year message, in which he described the past year as turbulent, drawing comparisons to the early 1980s, a period marked by war, political assassinations, and deep internal crises. He cited the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, the killing of Iranian advisors in Damascus, and ongoing economic difficulties as major national challenges.

While neither speech referenced the US letter or the possibility of renewed nuclear talks, both struck a tone of resilience and resistance. The absence of traditional New Year greetings or Nowruz symbolism in either address underscored the gravity of the moment. This is the second consecutive year Khamenei has remained in the capital during Nowruz, a decision that may reflect the overlap with Ramadan, or broader concerns about regional security.

The timing of his remarks also comes as the United States and Israel prepare to hold high-level consultations in Washington early next week, focusing on Iran’s nuclear program and regional posture. Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about the prospects for diplomacy and are reportedly preparing for a range of scenarios, including potential military confrontation.

Meanwhile, international concern over Iran’s nuclear program continues to grow. A recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency raised questions about the purpose of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, which the agency said could not be fully explained by civilian uses.