Iran’s Khamenei Calls Israel US’s ‘Dog On A Leash’, Warns Of 'Even Bigger Blows'

As diplomatic tensions reach a boiling point, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a sharp warning to the United States and Israel, suggesting that recent military actions may only be the beginning.

Khamenei’s fiery rhetoric underscores the deepening divide between Tehran and Western powers, just weeks ahead of a critical deadline set by the US and its European allies for progress on nuclear talks.

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“Just The Beginning”: Khamenei Threatens Further Retaliation

Referring to Iran’s missile strike on the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Khamenei warned that a larger response could follow if tensions escalate. "The fact that our nation is ready to face the power of the United States and its dog on a leash, the Zionist regime, is very praiseworthy," he said.

The Supreme Leader added that the attack on the US base was “just the beginning,” hinting at Iran’s capacity to deliver what he called “an even bigger blow” to its adversaries. His remarks follow a series of reported Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

Despite these setbacks, US intelligence agencies believe Iran’s missile and drone systems remain largely intact. Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, noted that Tehran still maintains around 1,500 medium-range ballistic missiles and about half of its launch infrastructure.

Snapback Sanctions Loom As Diplomacy Stalls

While the Biden administration has adopted a cautious tone, indicating openness to renewed talks, the clock is ticking. European powers, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, known collectively as the E3, have warned that if Iran fails to re-engage meaningfully by the end of summer, they will trigger the “snapback” mechanism outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal.

This mechanism would reinstate all international sanctions previously lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In a parallel development, Iran’s parliament released a statement via the Iranian Students' News Agency, declaring that Tehran will not return to talks with the US unless specific preconditions are met.

Khamenei, meanwhile, reaffirmed Iran’s posture of strength: “In both the diplomatic and military fields, whenever we enter the stage, we do so with our hands full and not from a position of weakness.” He also urged Iranian diplomats to align closely with state policy, stressing the need for unity in approach.

As the deadline approaches, the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough appears uncertain—and the risk of further confrontation is growing by the day.

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