TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned Monday of a forceful retaliation if the United States or its allies bomb the Islamic Republic, following a threat by President Donald Trump.
“Everyone should know that our stances remain unchanged. The animosity of the U.S. and the Zionist regime is also the same as it has always been. They threaten to commit some vicious act,” he said here during a speech on Eid al-Fitr.
“Of course, if there are any vicious acts — we aren’t so sure that will happen and we don’t believe it’s likely that it will come from the outside — but if it does happen, they will definitely receive a strong counterblow,” he said. 
“And if they’re thinking of stirring up sedition inside the country, as they’ve done in some previous years, the Iranian nation itself will answer them, just as it has in the past.”
In an interview on Saturday, Trump said “there will be bombing” if Iran does not agree to a new nuclear deal.
On Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the charge d’affaires of the Swiss embassy, which represents U.S. interests in Iran, to protest threats by the U.S. president.
Since taking office in January, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy, which in his first term saw the United States withdraw from a landmark agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the “exuberant, meaningful rally” on the last Friday of Ramadan to mark the Quds Day. 
“Those who need to understand, those who need to recognize the Iranian nation, received many messages from this tremendous gathering that you, the dear people, formed in Tehran and in various small and large cities,” he said.
Quds Day is an annual international day held every year to express support for Palestine and oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Large rallies are held as Israel continues its attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, established Quds Day in 1979 shortly after the Islamic Revolution in Iran to show solidarity with Palestinians. It has since become a symbol of resistance.
Ayatollah Khamenei said “the bitter events of Ramadan this year left a bitter taste for all those who were fasting in the Islamic world due to the tragic events in Gaza, Lebanon, and Palestine”.
“Once again, the Zionists are committing genocide. Once again, children are getting killed. Once again, the U.S. is supporting the vicious acts of the malicious, usurping Zionist regime. 
“Once again, they’re assisting the vicious acts of this murderer and terrorist gang who has usurped Palestine and is ruling over Palestine and the Palestinian people,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on political statements made in the West about proxy forces, saying “they accuse the brave nations and valiant youth of this region of being proxies”. 
“I want to tell you that there is only one proxy force in this region, and that’s the evil, usurping Zionist regime,” he said.
“The Zionist regime in acting as a proxy for the colonialists, ignites fires, commits genocide, and perpetrates crimes.”
The Leader said if the Zionists were able, they would invade other countries just like they are invading Syria. 
“They’ve entered Syrian territory and advanced to within a few kilometers of Damascus. They do this on behalf of the colonialists,” he said. 
“Those are the same people who interfered in this region after World War II and shaped it into what it is today. Now, the Zionist regime in acting as their proxy is carrying out and completing their work.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei said separately the ever-growing dignity of Islam and effective struggle against the bullying and extortion of superpowers hinge upon the unity and insight of the Muslim world.
“The technique to effectively confront the

 unmatched crimes of the Zionist regime and its supporters in Palestine and Lebanon is through unity, empathy, and common language among Muslim states,” he told government officials and ambassadors of Islamic countries to Tehran on Eid al-Fitr.
“The prerequisite for ever-growing dignity of Islam is the unity, determination, and insight of the Muslim Ummah,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. 
The Leader said the rapid pace of international developments necessitates that Muslim governments must quickly and accurately determine their positions, and devise plans for them.
Ayatollah Khamenei then described the large population of Muslims, their abundant natural wealth as well as their sensitive geographic location as marvelous opportunities for the Muslim world.
The Leader said Iran extends its hand to all Muslim governments, and considers itself a brother to them and on the same general front.
He said cooperation and consensus among Muslim countries is a bulwark against the aggression, coercion, and blackmail of aggressors and oppressors.