“We Slapped America in the Face” — Khamenei Declares Symbolic Victory After Iran-Israel War
In his first public address since the end of the 12-day Iran-Israel war, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared what he called a symbolic but powerful victory over both the United States and Israel, insisting that Iran’s strength remains unshaken.
Speaking during a televised broadcast on Thursday, Khamenei dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that recent American airstrikes had crippled Iran’s nuclear program, describing the statements as political exaggeration for Western audiences.
“The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,” Khamenei said.
“A Slap to the Face of America”
The 86-year-old Supreme Leader — who had been noticeably absent from public view since the conflict began on June 13 — declared that Iran had not only survived the coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes but retaliated with force, delivering what he called “a severe slap to the face of America.”
He was referring to Iran’s missile assault on the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a major U.S. military installation. While most of the missiles were intercepted and no casualties were reported, Khamenei warned that more strikes could come if provoked.
“Surrender will never happen. Our nation is powerful,” he declared with defiance.
US Strikes: Overstated or Effective?
The United States and Israel claimed that their joint air campaign inflicted significant damage, particularly on Iran’s underground Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. Bunker-buster bombs and cyberwarfare tactics were reportedly used to target Iran’s most sensitive installations.
However, leaked intelligence and early assessments suggest that Iran’s nuclear capabilities may have only been delayed, not destroyed. Sources cited by The Times of Israel noted that while infrastructure damage occurred, critical systems were either shielded or restored quickly.
This has led analysts to believe that Iran’s program could resume full operations within months, raising fears of renewed escalation in the region.
Khamenei’s Return Amid Shadows
Khamenei’s appearance — the first since he went into hiding following Israel’s initial surprise strikes — was carefully controlled. His exact location remains unknown, but the tone of his message was unmistakable: Iran is not retreating.
His rhetoric plays well to domestic audiences, especially following reports of 28 Israeli casualties and infrastructure damage caused by Iranian missiles and drones during the height of the conflict.
The Bigger Picture: A Region on Edge
The latest conflict has deepened tensions across the Middle East, putting U.S. bases and Israeli security forces on high alert. As both Tehran and Tel Aviv claim victory, global intelligence agencies are left scrambling to determine what’s fact and what’s propaganda.
For now, one thing is clear: Iran’s Supreme Leader is back — and he’s not backing down.