Iran’s Supreme Leader Breaks Silence After Ceasefire with Israel
In his first public address since the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a defiant video message, claiming Iran dealt a “heavy slap” to the United States and emerged victorious against Israel.
Posting on social media platform X ahead of the broadcast, Khamenei declared what he described as a strategic win over Israel and condemned recent U.S. military actions. He criticized the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them ineffective and accusing former President Donald Trump of “unusually exaggerated” rhetoric about the events.
The remarks come just weeks after a dramatic military escalation in the region. Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, prompting a swift missile retaliation from Tehran. What Trump later described as a “12-day war” concluded with a fragile ceasefire, though tensions remain high.
During the conflict, the U.S. also targeted Iranian nuclear sites. Iran responded by striking a U.S. military base in Qatar, underscoring the increasingly direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
In response to the escalating fallout, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is expected to address the media in a press conference later today, offering updates on the impact of American strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
As regional powers recalibrate their strategies, Khamenei’s message signals Iran’s intent to maintain a hardline stance amid growing international scrutiny.