Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected proposals to reduce tensions or agree to a ceasefire with the United States, conveyed through two intermediary countries, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Iranian official.
The official, who declined to be named, said Khamenei’s stance on retaliation against the United States and Israel was “very tough and serious” during his first foreign policy session.
Also Read: Ali Larijani killed in Israeli strike, Israel says; no Iran confirmation
He added that it was not “the right time for peace” until the US and Israel are “brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation,” according to Reuters. It was not clear whether Khamenei attended the session in person.
The remarks come as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its third week, with at least 2,000 people reported killed and no signs of a breakthrough. According to Reuters, three sources said on March 14 that President Donald Trump’s administration has rebuffed attempts by Middle Eastern allies to initiate diplomatic talks to end the conflict.
Israel has claimed a series of high-profile strikes, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani was “eliminated” in an overnight attack. Iran has not officially confirmed the claim.
Katz also said Gholamreza Soleimani, head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, was killed in a “precise strike.” If confirmed, Larijani would be among the most senior Iranian figures killed since the February 28 strikes that also killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Also Read: Israel says it destroyed plane used by Iran's late Supreme Leader Khamenei
On Monday, the Israeli military also said that it destroyed an aircraft used by the late Khamenei at Mehrabad Airport in an overnight strike. The plane was reportedly used by senior Iranian officials and military figures for domestic and international travel. The airport, one of Tehran’s oldest, is a dual-use facility serving civilian flights while also housing air force assets.
The official, who declined to be named, said Khamenei’s stance on retaliation against the United States and Israel was “very tough and serious” during his first foreign policy session.
Also Read: Ali Larijani killed in Israeli strike, Israel says; no Iran confirmation
He added that it was not “the right time for peace” until the US and Israel are “brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation,” according to Reuters. It was not clear whether Khamenei attended the session in person.
The remarks come as the US-Israel war on Iran enters its third week, with at least 2,000 people reported killed and no signs of a breakthrough. According to Reuters, three sources said on March 14 that President Donald Trump’s administration has rebuffed attempts by Middle Eastern allies to initiate diplomatic talks to end the conflict.
Israel has claimed a series of high-profile strikes, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani was “eliminated” in an overnight attack. Iran has not officially confirmed the claim.
Katz also said Gholamreza Soleimani, head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, was killed in a “precise strike.” If confirmed, Larijani would be among the most senior Iranian figures killed since the February 28 strikes that also killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Also Read: Israel says it destroyed plane used by Iran's late Supreme Leader Khamenei
On Monday, the Israeli military also said that it destroyed an aircraft used by the late Khamenei at Mehrabad Airport in an overnight strike. The plane was reportedly used by senior Iranian officials and military figures for domestic and international travel. The airport, one of Tehran’s oldest, is a dual-use facility serving civilian flights while also housing air force assets.
