Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Iran's Leader Rejects Ceasefire, Vows to Defeat U.S.-Israel

3/17/2026

43 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei rejected de-escalation and a U.S.-Israel ceasefire, saying the U.S. and Israel must be brought to their knees.
The statement came during his first foreign policy session since taking office.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has killed more than 2,000 people and shows no resolution.
The Strait of Hormuz remains mostly closed, and U.S. allies have declined President Donald Trump's requests to reopen it.

1 of 1

Story summary

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei rejected de-escalation and a U.S.-Israel ceasefire, saying the U.S. and Israel must be brought to their knees.
The statement came during his first foreign policy session since taking office.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has killed more than 2,000 people and shows no resolution.
The Strait of Hormuz remains mostly closed, and U.S. allies have declined President Donald Trump's requests to reopen it.