Pezeshkian Says Enemy Can’t Do a Thing Even if It Kills “Thousands Like Me”
Iran’s president told governors and mayors that the enemy can’t do “a damn thing” if the people stay with the state, even if thousands like him are assassinated.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran can overcome the enemy’s threats if the people stand with the state. He said even the killing of “thousands like me” would not change that, Iran International reported.
He spoke on Monday, Nov. 2, not Tuesday. Video of the remarks spread on social media a day later.
What He Said
Pezeshkian spoke at a meeting with provincial governors and mayors of major cities. “We can emerge powerfully from all the threats the enemy is creating,” he said.
Persian outlets, including Hamshahri and the student news agency SNN, quoted him on assassination. Our translation: “Say they assassinate me — so be it. If thousands like me are killed and the people are with us, they can’t do a damn thing.”
The Persian phrase for “damn thing” is crude slang. English-language outlets softened it to “can’t do a thing.”
He also urged governors not to wait for directives and to involve local people in solving problems, Iran International reported.
Earlier Attempts on His Life
Pezeshkian said in July 2025 that Israel tried to kill him during the 12-day war. “They did try, yes… but they failed,” he said, Al Jazeera reported.
An Israeli official said the Feb. 28, 2026 opening strikes targeted him and Ali Khamenei, Times of Israel reported. On Monday, Trump said Iran asked him to stop killing its leaders.
Where the Standoff Stands
On Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Iran had given a “firm and rational response.” Mohsen Rezaei later said the US reply was not convincing.
Qatar says both sides are reviewing mediator proposals and that it seeks an interim deal, Anadolu reported. Iran International noted reports of a possible renewed US-Israeli campaign after Tuesday’s US midterm elections.
Kamer Kurunç
Kamer Kurunç is the Team Leader of Clash Report and has led the outlet for four years. He oversees its breaking world news coverage, from the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war to defense and global politics. His focus is fast, verified, source-based reporting. Follow him on X at @kamerknc.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.