Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, said the country will not step back from its nuclear program, in his first public remarks since U.S. strikes hit Iranian nuclear sites. The comments signal defiance from Tehran after an escalation that raised fears of a wider regional confrontation.

Khamenei’s statement comes amid intense pressure on Iran’s leadership over the damage caused by the strikes and the risk of further military retaliation. The remarks did not offer details on the condition of the facilities or any immediate policy shift, but they reinforced the government’s insistence that the nuclear program will continue.

The exchange highlights how the confrontation has moved beyond diplomacy and into a more dangerous phase, with civilians in Iran facing the consequences of a deepening conflict. Analysts say the next steps from Washington and Tehran will shape whether the crisis remains contained or spreads further across the region.