According to a report by The Times of Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has resurfaced to declare a symbolic victory over the United States following the end of the 12-day Iran-Israel war, downplaying US claims of success in targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
Khamenei, in his first public remarks since June 19, dismissed assertions by President Donald Trump that US airstrikes crippled Iran’s nuclear program. “The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,” Khamenei said during a televised address Thursday.
He claimed that American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities caused no significant damage and asserted that Iran came out on top in the conflict.
“The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America,” he added, referencing Iran’s missile attack on the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, where US troops are stationed.
While the attack caused no casualties and most of the missiles were intercepted, Khamenei warned that such actions could be repeated.
Khamenei’s remarks follow days of confusion over the true extent of the damage caused by US strikes, which included the use of bunker-buster bombs on the underground Fordo site and missile attacks on Natanz and Isfahan facilities.
While the US and Israel claimed a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program, leaked intelligence reports and on-ground assessments suggest otherwise.
Khamenei, 86, has been out of public view since Israel launched a surprise offensive on June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear sites and high-ranking commanders. The strikes triggered a fierce Iranian response involving hundreds of missiles and drones. Israel reported 28 deaths and extensive infrastructure damage.
While both Israel and Iran claim victory, questions remain about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The CIA and Israeli intelligence differ on the long-term impact of the strikes, with some analysts suggesting the program has only been delayed by a few months.
Still in hiding, Khamenei’s televised appearance offered no indication of his location, but his message was clear: Iran will not back down. “Surrender will never happen. Our nation is powerful,” he declared, vowing more retaliatory actions if provoked.
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