Amid intense Israeli airstrikes and a spiraling regional crisis, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected calls for surrender from the United States, warning that any American military involvement would result in “irreparable damage.”
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
“Wise individuals who know Iran, its people, and its history never speak to this nation with the language of threats, because the Iranian nation is not one to surrender,” Khamenei declared in a televised message. His statement followed warnings from an Iranian diplomat that any U.S. intervention could trigger an “all-out war.”
The ongoing Israeli offensive, which has now entered its second week, has left devastation across Iranian territory. Human Rights Activists, a reputable civil monitoring group, reported at least 585 deaths—including 239 civilians and 126 security personnel—with over 1,300 injured. Israel insists its actions are intended to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and eliminate strategic threats.
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched missiles into Israeli territory, killing at least 24 people and injuring hundreds. Air raid sirens have become a routine in cities like Tel Aviv, with citizens seeking shelter underground.
Although U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated he wants to avoid war, he acknowledged in a press briefing: “If it’s a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do.” He added, “You may have to fight.”
The U.S. has begun positioning its military for a possible intervention. Aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford, USS Nimitz, and USS Carl Vinson are now stationed strategically between the Mediterranean and the Arabian Sea. Refueling tankers and fighter jets are being deployed to Spain, Greece, and the Chagos Islands. The British RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, may also host American fighter aircraft.
A British official, speaking anonymously, confirmed, “There isn’t complete clarity on the U.S. military’s intentions. But all options remain on the table.”
In a bid to de-escalate the crisis, senior European diplomats from Germany, France, the UK, and the European Union’s foreign policy chief will meet Iranian officials in Switzerland on Friday. The talks aim to salvage the fraying nuclear diplomacy and restore regional stability.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Moscow’s mediation to broker a peace deal. “We are simply talking about how we see a possible way out of the situation. But the decision is up to Iran and Israel,” Putin said during a press roundtable.
China, meanwhile, is also engaging diplomatically. Its foreign minister, Wang Yi, held phone calls with his Egyptian and Omani counterparts, both key regional players, and pledged Beijing’s support for peace efforts.
On the cyber front, Iran’s state TV was briefly hijacked in what authorities said was a cyberattack by Israel, with anti-government content flashing across screens. A message warned viewers to disregard any strange broadcasts. In a statement, the Ministry of Communications accused Israel of the “misusing of the national communications network for military purposes.” Despite the clampdown, the ministry said domestic communication services and platforms “remain accessible.” Meanwhile, Nobitex, Iran’s top digital currency exchange, went offline after what local media called “a security threat.”
Crypto is increasingly used in Iran as a way to preserve value and carry out transactions amid ongoing financial instability. The Nobitex outage came shortly after a cyber-attack on Sepah Bank, an institution linked to Iran’s armed forces. The hacktivist group Predatory Sparrow claimed responsibility for both attacks. The group alleged Nobitex was helping with sanctions evasion and funding terrorism. Iran considers Predatory Sparrow to be linked to Israel. Another bank, Pasargad, was also reportedly targeted. In response, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said that “public funds were secure.”
As tensions soared, the U.S. began evacuating nonessential diplomats and family members from its embassy in Israel. A government aircraft flew several out of Tel Aviv on Wednesday, while U.S. citizens were advised to prepare for possible emergency evacuations by sea or air.
The core of the crisis remains Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran has signaled it will continue enriching uranium, while Israel justifies its strikes as preemptive actions to halt nuclear weapon development. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed alarm at the lack of access to several Iranian facilities since the strikes began.
With three major global powers—Russia, China, and the EU—now pushing for a ceasefire, and the U.S. on the brink of possible intervention, the coming days are critical. The region stands at the edge of full-scale war, but diplomatic channels remain open—for now.
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi,📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon:https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
_____________________________________________________________________
