Tehran, June 26, 2025: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday claimed a strategic victory over Israel and declared that the Islamic Republic had delivered a “severe slap to the face of America” during the recently concluded 12-day war in the Middle East.
In his first public address since the Iran-Israel conflict erupted on June 13, Khamenei, 86, appeared in a pre-recorded video broadcast on Iranian state television, sitting in front of plain brown curtains — a setup similar to his June 19 appearance. He had not been seen in public since reportedly taking shelter in a secure location during the escalation.
Referring to the United States’ direct military intervention, Khamenei said:
“The United States engaged in the war directly, convinced that its refusal to intervene would lead to the complete destruction of the Zionist regime. It has gained nothing from this war.”
He added, “The Islamic Republic won and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America. Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price.”
The war began after Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military figures. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli territory, followed by an escalation that drew in the United States.
On Sunday, U.S. forces carried out major airstrikes using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles to target three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran responded the next day with a missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which caused no reported casualties.
Despite the intensity of the conflict, a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect on Tuesday, halting the most dangerous hostilities between the regional rivals in years.
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 627 civilians were killed in the Israeli strikes. Iranian attacks on Israel reportedly left 28 people dead, based on official Israeli figures.
A state funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Tehran to honor top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists killed during the war.
The conflict derailed ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. However, President Trump has signaled a possible resumption of talks, stating earlier this week that “both Israel and Iran are tired and exhausted.” He confirmed that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff would meet Iranian officials next week in pursuit of a comprehensive peace agreement.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told Al Jazeera that while Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had been “badly damaged,” the country remained committed to its “legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy” and was open to returning to talks. Iran has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting its atomic program is for civilian purposes.
