Iran’s Khamenei Says U.S. Failed, Claims Victory Over Israel

In his first public appearance since the ceasefire, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Iran had come out victorious in its recent conflict with Israel and criticized the United States for intervening.

"A Slap to America"

Speaking in a video message aired Thursday, Khamenei claimed that the U.S. only brokered a ceasefire to prevent Israel’s defeat, saying “if they hadn’t stepped in, the regime would’ve collapsed.” He also described Iran’s recent missile launch at a U.S. base in Qatar as a symbolic “slap to America,” though the rockets were intercepted and caused no damage.

Fallout from the Ceasefire

The ceasefire, arranged by the U.S. following nearly two weeks of hostilities, came after both sides escalated dramatically. Iran had gone into hiding after Israeli strikes targeted several military and nuclear sites on June 13. The U.S. followed with a massive air assault on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, prompting Iran’s retaliatory strike.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump claiming the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Khamenei dismissed the attack as ineffective. “They achieved nothing,” he said, calling Trump’s remarks “exaggerated.”

Nuclear Dispute Escalates

On the political front, Iran’s parliament has passed a bill to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing the watchdog of ignoring the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. The bill still needs approval from the Guardian Council to take effect.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the IAEA “sold its credibility” by staying silent. The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has been ordered to halt cooperation until nuclear site security is assured.

U.S. and Iran Trade Accusations

The war of words between Washington and Tehran continues. Trump, at a NATO summit in the Netherlands, insisted the strikes had completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear program. His defense secretary and CIA director backed him up, contradicting a Pentagon assessment that the damage was likely temporary.

Khamenei, however, argued that the conflict was never about nuclear concerns but about forcing Iran into submission. “Even suggesting surrender is an insult to this nation,” he said.

Iran Defends Nuclear Rights

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reiterated Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, accusing the U.S. and Israel of “destroying diplomacy.”

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