TEHRAN, June 13 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment” against Israel following deadly airstrikes on Iranian soil, denouncing the attacks as a “bloody and criminal act” that targeted civilian areas in Tehran.
In a fiery statement, Khamenei accused the “Zionist regime” of extending its “filthy, bloodstained hand” against Iran at dawn, claiming the strikes exposed Israel’s “wickedness” through attacks on residential zones.
“This regime must expect a severe punishment,” declared the Supreme Leader, asserting that Iran’s armed forces would ensure retaliation: “The strong hand of the Islamic Republic’s military will not let it go unpunished, God willing.”
Khamenei confirmed deaths of Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists during the assault – a reference to Thursday’s assassination of IRGC chief Hossein Salami and other officials. He issued a stark warning: “With this crime, Israel has paved the way toward a bitter and painful fate – and it will undoubtedly face it.”
