Khamenei Makes First Public Statement While in Hiding
"We Must Respond Firmly... No Mercy Will Be Shown"
Islamic Nations Condemn Israel's Attack
After Israel's airstrike on Iran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public statement while in hiding, declaring a hardline response. As the crisis in the Middle East escalated, 20 Islamic countries issued a joint statement urging Israel to halt its military actions.
According to CNN on June 18 (local time), Khamenei posted on X (formerly Twitter) early that morning, stating, "A strong response must be given to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show no mercy to the Zionists." The term "Zionists" is a hostile reference to Israel, and his remarks are interpreted as a de facto declaration of full-scale retaliation.
He also posted a message in Persian, saying, "Under the noble name of Haidar, the battle has begun," invoking a religious symbol to express his willingness to fight. Haidar is a term used to refer to Ali, the first Imam of Shia Islam.
Khamenei referenced the 7th-century conquest of Khaybar, a Jewish settlement, by Islamic forces, saying, "We are returning to Khaybar." The post was accompanied by an image of a man drawing a sword and walking into a fortress engulfed in flames.
Khamenei had not appeared in public since Israel's surprise airstrike on June 13. While his whereabouts have not been officially confirmed, Iranian dissident media outlets have reported that he is hiding in an underground bunker with his family.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding," demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender."
Meanwhile, Spain's EFE news agency reported on June 17 that the foreign ministers of 20 Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, and Pakistan, issued a joint statement demanding that Israel halt its military attacks on Iran.
The joint statement "clearly rejects and strongly condemns Israel's attacks," emphasizing the need to respect national sovereignty and territory and to adhere to the principle of resolving disputes peacefully.
It further stated that "the dangerous escalation of tensions could have serious impacts on the peace and stability of the entire region, and urgent efforts to de-escalate are necessary to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and restore peace."
Concrete measures for the denuclearization of the Middle East were also proposed. The statement called for all countries to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to establish a zone banning nuclear and weapons of mass destruction throughout the Middle East. It also stressed that attacks on nuclear facilities protected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be avoided, noting that such actions would constitute "violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions."
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