The leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, affirmed on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic does not fear the United States, declaring instead that Iran frightens America. His remarks came during a high-level meeting with the head and senior officials of the judiciary, amid intensifying regional tensions and recent Iranian retaliatory operations.

"Before Iran’s Islamic Revolution, just mentioning the US’s name frightened people, let alone engaging in an actual confrontation with them. Now the same nation has reached a point where it doesn’t fear the US. Rather, it frightens them and carries out whatever operations it can," he said.

Imam Khamenei met with the head and top officials of the Judiciary Branch today, Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) July 16, 2025

Referring to Iran’s recent military response to US actions in the region, Khamenei described it as “a highly sensitive and strategic blow,” asserting that the target was “an extremely vital American facility.” Without naming the exact location, he said, “The magnitude of the strike will become evident over time. Of course, an even stronger response is possible.”

He emphasized that such actions were not symbolic but calculated moves within Iran’s broader strategic framework. "The nation of Iran will definitely be victorious," Khamenei said.

“Iran holds powerful cards on both the military and diplomatic fronts,” he added, stressing the Islamic Republic’s readiness on all levels of confrontation.

'Enemies miscalculated in their assault on Iran'

The Iranian Leader sharply criticized what he called flawed foreign assessments of Iran’s internal and external posture. “The enemies’ calculations regarding Iran were flawed,” he said. He commended the Iranian people for rejecting attempts to sow internal discord: “The nation refused to be drawn into the sedition that adversaries tried to ignite. Instead, they stood united in defense of the homeland.”

Khamenei revealed that intelligence showed the enemy had been preparing for a military operation against Iran for at least nine months. “Some within the country had wrongly assumed there was no such threat,” he noted. “In the end, the people saw the truth and entered the arena in direct opposition to what the enemies had hoped for.”

He praised the broad-based unity among Iranians, calling it “a powerful display of national cohesion” that crossed political and ideological lines.

'Our retaliation against Israel was decisive'

Addressing recent military confrontations with the Israeli occupation, Khamenei reaffirmed Iran’s stance: “Although we consider the Zionist regime a cancerous tumor and America criminal for supporting it, we did not seek war. But when attacked, our response was swift, overwhelming, and forceful.”

He added, “Had the Zionist regime not been thoroughly defeated, it would not have turned so desperately to the United States. It realized it cannot face Iran alone.”

"The Iranian nation accomplished a great feat in the recent war imposed by the Zionists. This feat was a matter of determination. The very fact that a nation is ready to confront the power of the US and the Zionist regime carries immensely significant value," the Iranian leader emphasized.

Khamenei concluded by urging Iran’s judiciary to pursue legal accountability for Israeli aggression, both within domestic courts and through international legal mechanisms.

He also emphasized that Iranian officials must continue working resolutely on both the military and diplomatic fronts.

“The enemy has revealed its true face. Let there be no doubt: Iran’s strength lies in its people, its faith, and its unwavering resistance,” Khamenei said.