Khamenei says Iran prepared to repel attack

“Today, in terms of strong defense and confronting hard threats from the enemy, we have no worries or problems. Our capability to counter hard threats is at an excellent level, and for that reason, the people feel secure,” he said.

The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post reported last week citing US intelligence assessments from last month that Israel saw an opening for an attack on Iranian nuclear sites as early as the first of this year.

Israel is basing its assessment, the papers reported, on Iran's weakness after an Oct. 26 Israeli attack knocked out much of its air defenses and a greater perceived receptiveness to military action from US President Donald Trump.

Khamenei did not directly address the idea of an Israeli attack or potential talks between Iran and the US following the restoration of President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign.

Earlier this month, while announcing a hasher sanctions policy on Tehran, Trump also signaled a willingness to negotiate a deal with Iran—a proposal that Khamenei has publicly rejected.

His speech in the city of Tabriz, delivered during the month-long commemoration of the Islamic Republic’s 46th anniversary, was claimed by state-run broadcasters to have drawn thousands, although this figure could not be independently verified.

“The Islamic Revolution has managed to preserve itself as an independent identity and as a vast, hopeful base for the peoples of the region and even beyond. The reason for the anger of arrogant and colonialist forces around the world towards the Islamic Republic is the steadfastness and resistance of the Iranian nation in confronting them,” Khamenei told the gathering.

Relative moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was also in attendance, recently backed Khamenei’s opposition to dialogue with the US. Iran’s Supreme Leader is the ultimate decision-maker on foreign and domestic policy.

Since Trump’s announcement, Iranian hardliners have steadfastly resisted any talks, while a few voices have pushed for easing the stance to relieve economic pressure by lifting sanctions.

Over the past year, Israel’s repeated military operations targeting Iranian-backed militant proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria have significantly eroded Tehran’s regional influence. With the fall of Assad’s government—once a critical ally—these external pressures have left Iran in what analysts describe as its most fragile state.

Talks with Washington now appear distant as US-led sanctions deepen hardship and discontent for Iranians grappling with a worsening economy.