Khamenei Warns US of 'Unforgettable Lessons' as Strikes Escalate
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- Mojtaba Khamenei warned in a Saturday state TV statement that the US will face 'unforgettable lessons' from Iran and its 'Resistance Front' allies, calling Trump's signature 'utterly worthless and invalid' and labeling 'bullying, hegemonism and savagery' as inseparable components of American doctrine.
- Khamenei accused the US of repeatedly violating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, which was signed last month to permanently end the war but has since been declared 'over' by both Tehran and Washington.
- The US dramatically escalated its attacks this week by targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges, railway lines, and water desalination plants, according to the source.
- Iran retaliated by successfully striking civilian infrastructure in Kuwait, prompting authorities there to urge the public to ration electricity.
- The US-Israeli war on Iran began in February and is viewed as existential by Iran's senior leadership, with Tehran showing no sign of conceding to the Trump administration's increasing demands as regional countries push for an end to the conflict behind the scenes.
- Reports surfaced in recent days that Houthis in Yemen could close the Bab al-Mandab strait to the Red Sea in support of Iran, a move the source says would further destabilize global energy markets and intensify pressure on Trump to halt attacks.
Why it matters: The source notes the war is deeply unpopular in the US and has already inflicted economic harm on Americans, while a potential Houthi closure of the Bab al-Mandab strait would compound pressure on global energy markets and inflation, giving Trump a concrete domestic cost to weigh against continued escalation.
