Khamenei Declares ‘The Battle Begins’ as Trump Weighs U.S. Strikes Amid Escalating Israel-Iran War

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued chilling threats Tuesday night, declaring “the battle begins” and vowing no mercy for Israel, as U.S. President Donald Trump considered launching American strikes on Iranian targets.

In a series of posts on X, Khamenei shared an ominous image depicting fireballs raining upon an ancient city, captioned in Farsi: “In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins” — invoking Ali, revered by Shia Muslims as the first Imam. In English, he warned: “We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.”

Iranian state television added to the foreboding tone, promising a “great surprise… that the world will remember for centuries” as tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem reached fever pitch.

Meanwhile, inside sources told CBS that President Trump, following Situation Room consultations with his national security team, is weighing the possibility of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow facility. Trump has already demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and issued a stark warning to Khamenei.

“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He is an easy target, but is safe there — we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”

As the war entered its fifth day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched a “more powerful” wave of missiles at Israel. Air raid sirens sent Tel Aviv residents scrambling for cover as the Israeli air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles. The IRGC also issued evacuation warnings in Hebrew for parts of Tel Aviv, mirroring Israeli advisories urging Tehran residents to flee certain areas.

Khamenei, for the third time in a single day, escalated his rhetoric — this time posting in Hebrew: “We must act with force against the terrorist Zionist entity. We will not be merciful toward the Zionists.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has reportedly been in near-daily contact with Trump since hostilities erupted, completed another call with the U.S. president Tuesday night. Speculation is mounting that the U.S. could imminently join Israel’s campaign.

With both sides exchanging missile volleys and issuing evacuation orders, the region remains on the brink, as the world watches for what may come next.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.


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