Iran’s supreme leader rejected U.S. demands for surrender during intense Israeli airstrikes, warning that American military action would cause “irreparable harm.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared in a video broadcast on state TV, his second appearance since the war began. The remarks are in response to U.S. President Donald Trump calling on Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” Trump warned Khamenei that the U.S. knew his whereabouts but was not planning to kill him “at least not for now.”

Initially, Trump distanced himself from Israel’s surprise attack that started the conflict. But in recent days, he signalled deeper involvement. He said he wanted more than a ceasefire and sent additional U.S. forces to the region. Iran responded to Israeli attacks with hundreds of missiles and drones. Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted some of them over Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Khamenei dismissed Trump’s remarks as absurd and threatening. He said people familiar with Iran should not speak the language of threats and that any U.S. military move would bring irreversible damage. The statement appeared in a grainy video with echoing audio, showing only curtains, an Iranian flag, and a portrait of former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini.

Earlier, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman warned that U.S. intervention risked “all-out war.” He gave no further details. Thousands of American troops remain stationed in nearby countries within Iran’s missile range. The U.S. warned of a major response to any Iranian aggression.

An Iranian official also said the country would keep enriching uranium for peaceful use. This defied Trump’s demand that Iran abandon its nuclear program.

Israel’s latest airstrikes targeted centrifuge manufacturing facilities and missile component factories. The Israeli military said it also struck western Iran, hitting missile storage areas and a loaded launcher. It said it intercepted 10 Iranian missiles overnight. The U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Israel struck two centrifuge sites in or near Tehran.

The strikes killed senior Iranian generals and nuclear scientists. A U.S.-based Iranian human rights group reported that at least 585  people were dead, including 239 civilians. Over 1,300 others were injured. Iran has launched around 400 missiles and hundreds of drones in retaliation, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding hundreds. Some missiles hit residential buildings. Sirens repeatedly forced Israelis into shelters.

Iran’s missile attacks declined as the conflict continued, though it did not explain why. Israel said it had hit missile launchers and infrastructure.

Israel eased some wartime restrictions on Wednesday, allowing small gatherings and reopening offices near shelters.

The Human Rights Activists group identified 239 civilians among Iran’s dead, along with 126 security personnel. The same group reported casualties during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests and confirmed details through its network in Iran.

Iran has not issued consistent death tolls, often downplaying figures. Its last update said 224 were killed and 1,277 injured.

Funerals were held Monday in Khorramabad. Coffins draped in Iranian flags were carried through the streets. Officials did not release the names of five men said to have died in Israeli strikes.

Shops across Tehran remained closed. Long queues appeared at gas stations as people tried to flee the capital. Explosions rocked Tehran around 5 a.m. Wednesday. Iranian officials did not confirm the blasts. One strike appeared to hit an area that houses a Revolutionary Guard academy.

Israel said it launched the strikes to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Talks between the U.S. and Iran had made little progress, and Trump said Israel acted after a 60-day deadline. Iran continues to claim its nuclear program is peaceful, despite enriching uranium to 60%, near weapons-grade. U.S. intelligence says Iran is not building a bomb.

Israel has never confirmed possessing nuclear weapons. Iran’s ambassador to Geneva said uranium enrichment would continue, and Israeli attacks had not harmed research. Flights resumed at Israel’s main airport after closure due to missile strikes. Two flights from Cyprus landed Wednesday morning.