Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made his first public comments since the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, claiming a major victory for Iran and warning the United States against future aggression. His remarks come as the region remains tense, with both sides counting heavy losses and world powers urging calm.
Speaking on state television, Khamenei congratulated the Iranian people, saying, “The great nation of Iran has triumphed over the illegitimate Zionist regime.” He claimed that despite Israel’s intense strikes, the country “nearly fell apart and was overwhelmed by the onslaughts of the Islamic Republic.” Khamenei insisted that the United States only intervened because it feared Israel’s total collapse, adding, “The Americans did not secure any advantages from this war”.
Khamenei also accused the US of seeking Iran’s “surrender and defeat,” referencing a recent social media post by President Donald Trump that called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” He said, “Trump unveiled the reality, demonstrating that Americans will only find contentment in Iran’s defeat and submission, nothing less.” Khamenei argued that the US has always had a fundamental problem with the Iranian government since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, using issues like human rights and nuclear enrichment as excuses for their real aim: Iran’s capitulation.
Meanwhile, the aftermath of the 12-day conflict has left both nations counting the cost. Israeli airstrikes killed senior Iranian military leaders, including commander Ali Shadmani, and hit key nuclear facilities, causing significant damage. Iran responded with missile barrages, including a final wave that killed four people in Beersheba just hours before the ceasefire began. Israel retaliated by striking a radar installation but halted further action after a phone call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Official figures show that Israeli strikes killed over 610 civilians in Iran, while Iranian missile attacks killed 28 people in Israel. Despite the devastation, both sides have claimed success. Netanyahu called it a “historic victory,” while Iran’s President Pezeshkian praised the nation’s “heroic resistance” and reiterated Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, signalling readiness to return to talks if Israel respects the truce.
The damage to Iran’s nuclear programme remains a point of contention. While President Trump and Israeli officials insist the strikes set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by years, US intelligence assessments suggest the damage may have only delayed the programme by a few months. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation is still assessing the full extent of the damage and planning to resume operations, though experts say restoring full enrichment capabilities will take a long time.
Inside Iran, the government has tightened security, arresting hundreds on political or security charges and deploying forces to sensitive regions, especially Kurdish areas, to prevent unrest and infiltration. The regime’s focus on internal security reflects concerns about Israeli covert operations and potential domestic instability following the strikes.
On the diplomatic front, world leaders have welcomed the ceasefire. Turkey’s President Erdogan praised Trump’s mediation, while Russia, Germany, and others expressed relief at the de-escalation, wary of further regional fallout. China, which tried to mediate during the conflict, found its influence limited, highlighting the complex power dynamics in the Middle East.
Despite the ceasefire, the situation remains fragile. Khamenei warned that Iran could strike US bases again if provoked, and groups allied with Iran, like Yemen’s Houthis, have continued attacks on Israel, saying they are not bound by the truce. President Trump has said the US will not allow Iran to rebuild its uranium facilities and is willing to strike again if necessary, but also indicated a willingness to negotiate with Iran in the coming days.
