Supreme Leader Dismisses U.S. Attack Impact, Threatens Future Retaliation Amid Fragile Iran-Israel Ceasefire
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington “gained no achievements” and failed to disrupt Tehran’s nuclear program. In his first public address since a ceasefire with Israel was reached on Tuesday, Khamenei downplayed the damage, calling it ineffective and “exaggerated” by American officials.
“The strikes didn’t accomplish anything significant,” Khamenei said in a televised address Thursday morning, referencing the heavily fortified Fordo nuclear facility targeted by U.S. bunker-buster bombs. “They could not achieve their objective.”
Khamenei also described Iran’s retaliatory strike on a U.S. airbase in Qatar as a “heavy blow” and warned that similar operations could be repeated if provoked: “Should any attack take place, the cost for the enemy and the aggressor will undoubtedly be very high.”
His remarks follow strong U.S. claims that the military operation severely damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking alongside General Dan Caine at the Pentagon, called the strikes a “historic success,” claiming they had rendered key enrichment facilities “inoperable” and significantly set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions. President Donald Trump also weighed in, stating the facilities were “totally obliterated,” despite anonymous reports suggesting the impact might have been overstated.
Meanwhile, questions about Khamenei’s absence during the conflict have sparked speculation. Iranian authorities did not disclose his location, though a senior official confirmed earlier this week that the Supreme Leader was in a secure location.
The ongoing nuclear tensions are compounded by diplomatic fallout. Iran’s foreign minister ruled out any upcoming talks with the U.S., despite reports that the White House is considering incentives to revive dialogue, including support for a civilian nuclear program.
In a further escalation, Iran’s parliament approved a bill on Thursday to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), effectively barring nuclear inspectors from accessing Iranian facilities.
The direct confrontation between Iran and Israel erupted on June 13, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon. The day before, the global nuclear watchdog’s board had declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in two decades.
Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is entirely civilian. However, the recent U.S. strikes on facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, followed by a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, reflect the high stakes of the confrontation.
According to Iran’s health ministry, 610 people were killed during the 12-day air campaign, while Israel reported 28 fatalities. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi noted there is a possibility that Tehran relocated significant quantities of enriched uranium before the strikes.
As both sides hold firm, the fragile ceasefire may be the only barrier preventing another round of escalation.