On January 1st, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a speech while presiding over a meeting. Recently, Khamenei, who is hiding to avoid airstrikes, has predicted a strong retaliation against Israel.
According to reports from international media such as the Times of Israel on the 18th, Khamenei posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “We must strongly respond to the Zionist terrorist group. We will not show mercy to the Zionists.” The term “Zionist” is used as a hostile expression towards Israel.
Khamenei also posted, “The battle has begun under the noble name of Haidar.” Haidar is a term used to refer to Ali, the first Imam of the Shia sect.
Khamenei mentioned the 7th-century event when Muslim forces conquered Khaybar, a Jewish settlement, stating, “We are returning to Khaybar.”
The post included an illustration of a man with a sword and followers entering a fortress under falling flames.
Since Israel’s surprise airstrike on the 13th, Khamenei has not appeared publicly. Some international media outlets have reported that Khamenei is in hiding in an underground bunker with his family.
However, on the 17th, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but we will not eliminate him, at least not now. Our patience is wearing thin.”
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