Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded on Wednesday to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for Tehran to surrender, warning that any American military strike would have "serious, irreparable consequences."

In his first remarks since Friday, when he delivered a speech broadcast on state media after Israel began bombarding Iran, Khamenei said that neither peace nor war could be imposed on the Islamic Republic.

“Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language, because the Iranian nation will not surrender,” he said.

“The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.

“War will be met with war, bombing with bombing, and strike with strike. Iran will not submit to any demands or dictates.”

In a televised address later on Wednesday, Khamenei said Iran remains steadfast in its conflict with Israel and will not yield under pressure, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

He praised what he called the “steadfast, courageous, and timely” response of the Iranian people to what he described as Israel’s “foolish and malicious aggression.” The nation's resilience, he said, reflected “the growth of rationality and spirituality” in the country.

“The Iranian nation stands firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace. This nation will not surrender to anyone under pressure,” Tasnim quoted Khamenei as saying.

“Israel made a huge mistake and will be punished for that,” he added.