During his speech on May 6, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded to comments by US officials about the possibility of a military confrontation should the nuclear negotiations between Iran and members of the UN Security Council fail. The comments were some of the harshest yet by the supreme leader, who has the final say on the nuclear program.

“I’ve repeatedly spoken about the nuclear talks. What we’ve needed to say we’ve said, but everyone should pay attention — our Foreign Ministry officials, various officials, the elite of society: If a nation cannot defend its identity and greatness against foreigners, certainly it will be struck. There is no return; it has to know the value of its character,” Khamenei said.

He continued, “The enemy makes threats. In these last few days, two American officials made threats. We won’t even mention those who don’t have important posts; these are [top] officials. I don’t understand what meaning negotiations under the specter of threats have. For us to negotiate under the specter of threats, like a sword above our head, the Iranian nation is not like this. The Iranian nation will not tolerate negotiations under the shadow of threats.”

Khamenei went on, “Why do they make threats? They say if this doesn’t happen or that doesn’t happen they may take military action. First of all, the hell you will. Secondly, I told the previous president of the United States, the era of hit and run is over. It’s not like this that you will hit us and run. No. You will get trapped and we will follow you. The Iranian nation will not set free someone who wants to invade. We will pursue.”