Israel-Iran tensions: 'Will bring ruin to Zionist regime', vows Ayatollah Khamenei; Israel says Tehran 'never been weaker'

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Saturday to retaliate against Israel's strikes at the country's nuclear and military sites, even as Tehran launched a barrage of deadly missiles overnight at Israel.In a recorded address to Iranians, Khamenei said: "We will not permit them to evade consequences for this significant wrongdoing they have perpetrated".Assuring that Iran's military was ready to respond, Khamenei said, "Do not assume that they attacked and it's finished. No, they initiated the actions and began the conflict".Earlier, in the post of X, the Iranian supreme leader said that the "Zionist regime" made a big mistake and a grave error.

Khamenei said the consequences of Israel's strike will bring ruin to the Israeli regime."The Zionist regime has made a big mistake, a grave error, and committed a reckless act. By God's grace, the consequences of this will bring that regime to ruin. The Iranian nation won't permit the blood of its valued martyrs to go unavenged, nor will it ignore the violation of its airspace. Our Armed Forces are ready, and the country's officials and all the people are behind the Armed Forces," Khamenei wrote.

Khamenei, who is Iran's most powerful person, said Tehran will show no mercy to Israel."Today, we must give a strong response to the evil, despicable, terrorist Zionist identity. God willing, we will respond with strength, and will show no mercy to them. Life will definitely become bitter for the Zionists. The Zionist regime will not escape safely from the heinous crime they've committed," he further wrote.Khamenei said: "This is a certainty that the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces will deal heavy blows to this evil Zionist enemy.

The Iranian people are with us. They support the Armed Forces, and the Islamic Republic will triumph over the Zionist regime, by the will of God. Let the dear Iranian nation know this, be certain and assured that every effort will be made in this regard."

Tensions in the Middle East spiralled overnight as Iran fired missile strikes toward Israel late on Friday and into early Saturday. The attacks came in retaliation for what Iran claimed were earlier Israeli assaults on its soil.The confrontation was triggered by what Israeli officials described as the nation’s "greatest military operations in history" against Iran. On Thursday night, Israel launched a massive, carefully coordinated offensive using warplanes and drones, some of which were reportedly pre-positioned inside Iran. The strikes penetrated deep into Iranian territory, hitting crucial sites including nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and key command hubs.

Several high-ranking Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists were also killed in the operation.In the aftermath, Iran retaliated by launching a volley of ballistic missiles aimed at the heart of Tel Aviv, after its military issued a chilling warning that "everyone will feel it."

"In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility, and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address. "The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker," the Israeli PM added. He also directed a message to the Iranian people: "To the proud people of Iran, we are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion. The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years, threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel. More is on the way."Both nations quickly made good on their promises of escalation. Late Friday, Iran fired a fresh wave of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli cities. Loud explosions rocked Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as air raid sirens wailed, with Israeli authorities urging residents to find shelter immediately. Buildings trembled as near-simultaneous blasts echoed across the cities, some of which were believed to be the result of Israeli air defences intercepting incoming projectiles.The bombardment continued even after Netanyahu’s powerful video address. Just moments after his speech, Iran unleashed more missile attacks, triggering fresh detonations across Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The atmosphere in Israel remained tense, with people still sheltering as authorities confirmed the continued onslaught.Israeli officials acknowledged that Iran had fired yet another missile barrage from the country led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Speaking to CNN, a top Iranian official issued a stark warning: “Iran will intensify its attacks on Israel and target the regional bases of any country that tries to defend it.”