Iran's supreme leader responded sharply to United States President Donald Trump's demand that Tehran formally abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, declaring that Iran will protect its nuclear and missile capabilities. In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, he said that 90 million Iranians stand ready to defend the Islamic Republic's strategic programs.

The remarks come weeks after the killing of his father during an Israeli military operation. The elder leader was killed in a strike that also claimed the lives of other family members.

According to reports, the younger leader has not appeared in public since the attack and is being held in a secure location while recovering from severe injuries. He is said to be awaiting a prosthetic leg and undergoing treatment for facial burns that have made speaking difficult.