Khamenei taunts Trump, warns Iran can sink US warships, strike Gulf bases
Published on Feb 18, 2026 07:48 am IST
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has delivered a combative warning to Washington, mocking claims by Donald Trump that the U.S. commands the world’s strongest military. Khamenei suggested even the most powerful force could be “slapped” into collapse, asserting that Iran possesses weapons capable of sending hostile warships “deep under the sea.” The rhetoric comes amid claims of a rapidly expanding Iranian missile arsenal—reportedly exceeding 3,000 projectiles with ranges up to 3,000 km—placing U.S. bases and naval assets across the Gulf within striking distance.
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