Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday claimed 'victory' over 'zionist' Israel, and said that his country 'delivered a heavy slap on America's face.'
Calling Israel a ' fallacious Zionist regime', Khamenei's public statement was released on X, two days after a fragile ceasefire came into effect following Washington's intervention in the West Asian conflict on Tuesday.
"I offer my congratulations on the victory over the fallacious Zionist regime," said Khamenei in what was his first response since Tehran and Tel Aviv agreed to the truce.
'America couldn't achieve much': Khamenei
Addressing Donald Trump, Khamenei said the US President needed to do 'showmanship'.
Khamenei also reacted to US strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, saying that Washington 'couldn't achieve much' from its operation codenamed 'Midnight Hammer'.
Hailing Iran's security forces, Khamenei noted that the country succeeded in breaking Israel's defence.
"Armed forces managed to break through Israel's multi-layered defence and target urban and military areas," Khamenei said.
Issuing a warning against any future attacks, Khamenei sent a message for his Western foes: 'Any future aggression against Iran will come at a great cost.'
"The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to key US centers in the region and can take action whenever it deems necessary is a significant matter. Such an action can be repeated in the future too. Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price," Khamenei was quoted as saying.
The Iranian leader further claimed that if not for the US intervention, Israel would have been 'destroyed'. Washington achieved nothing from this war, he added.
"US gained no achievement from this war. US entered the war because it felt if it did not, Israel would be completely destroyed," said Khamenei.
Furthermore, Khamenei alleged that Israel was 'knocked out and crushed' under Iran's blows.
"With all that commotion and all those claims, the Zionist regime was practically knocked out and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic," said Khamenei.
Truce brings temporary calm, but military and nuclear risks persist
Iran, Israel, and the United States have each claimed success in the aftermath of a volatile 12-day conflict, but the strategic gains remain tenuous and incomplete. While Iran held street rallies and declared a national victory, Israel claimed to have eliminated existential threats, and the U.S. touted diplomatic leadership. Yet the underlying reality points to a fragile ceasefire, exposed vulnerabilities, and unresolved risks.
Iranian state television reported that crowds rallied across Tehran and other cities to thank the armed forces for standing up to Israeli and American aggression. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials praised the armed forces for resisting the attacks and protecting Iran’s sovereignty.
But beneath the celebratory optics, Iran absorbed significant blows. Joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeted major nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. High-speed centrifuges were destroyed, and Western intelligence agencies say Iran’s uranium enrichment has been set back by several months to possibly two years. In addition, Israel reportedly assassinated more than a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists in coordinated strikes.
Iran had moved 400 kg of 60%-enriched uranium before the attacks. That material is now unaccounted for, prompting concern among intelligence agencies about potential covert storage or weaponisation. Analysts warn this quantity is enough to produce around 10 nuclear bombs, meaning Iran’s programme remains alive, even if weakened.
Iran’s military response—missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar—caused some damage but did not prevent or deter the initial strikes. Still, Iran demonstrated that it can breach Israeli airspace with more advanced missiles, revealing gaps in Israel’s air defence capabilities. While Iran failed to stop the strikes, it avoided a regime-threatening conflict and retained key components of its nuclear infrastructure, albeit more covertly.
Israel touts military success, but risks linger
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel had “achieved a historic victory,” citing the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile capability. The Israeli operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” was described as the most significant air campaign in recent years, relying heavily on Mossad intelligence and U.S. logistical support.
Israeli officials said the strikes severely damaged underground facilities and missile sites, including at Fordow and Khorramabad. Strategically, the operation may have bought Israel time, delaying Iran’s nuclear breakout timeline. But Iran’s counterattack revealed vulnerabilities. Despite its Iron Dome and other systems, Israel failed to intercept every incoming missile, raising alarms about its exposure in future conflicts.
Politically, Netanyahu used the moment to bolster his domestic position amid corruption trials and coalition instability. However, should the ceasefire unravel or Iran’s programme rebound quickly, Israel’s perceived victory could erode.
U.S. President Donald Trump also declared success, claiming the airstrikes had set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by “decades.” Intelligence agencies, however, offered a more cautious assessment, suggesting the setback may be temporary.
The ceasefire, announced by Trump and facilitated with Qatari mediation, brought short-term relief to markets and diplomats. But as analysts warn, none of the three parties can claim an unqualified win—and the foundations for long-term peace remain far from solid.
(With inputs from agencies)
Calling Israel a ' fallacious Zionist regime', Khamenei's public statement was released on X, two days after a fragile ceasefire came into effect following Washington's intervention in the West Asian conflict on Tuesday.
"I offer my congratulations on the victory over the fallacious Zionist regime," said Khamenei in what was his first response since Tehran and Tel Aviv agreed to the truce.
I offer my congratulations on the victory over the fallacious Zionist regime.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2025
'America couldn't achieve much': Khamenei
Addressing Donald Trump, Khamenei said the US President needed to do 'showmanship'.
Khamenei also reacted to US strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, saying that Washington 'couldn't achieve much' from its operation codenamed 'Midnight Hammer'.
Hailing Iran's security forces, Khamenei noted that the country succeeded in breaking Israel's defence.
"Armed forces managed to break through Israel's multi-layered defence and target urban and military areas," Khamenei said.
Issuing a warning against any future attacks, Khamenei sent a message for his Western foes: 'Any future aggression against Iran will come at a great cost.'
"The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to key US centers in the region and can take action whenever it deems necessary is a significant matter. Such an action can be repeated in the future too. Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price," Khamenei was quoted as saying.
The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to key US centers in the region and can take action whenever it deems necessary is a significant matter. Such an action can be repeated in the future too. Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2025
The Iranian leader further claimed that if not for the US intervention, Israel would have been 'destroyed'. Washington achieved nothing from this war, he added.
"US gained no achievement from this war. US entered the war because it felt if it did not, Israel would be completely destroyed," said Khamenei.
Furthermore, Khamenei alleged that Israel was 'knocked out and crushed' under Iran's blows.
"With all that commotion and all those claims, the Zionist regime was practically knocked out and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic," said Khamenei.
Truce brings temporary calm, but military and nuclear risks persist
Iran, Israel, and the United States have each claimed success in the aftermath of a volatile 12-day conflict, but the strategic gains remain tenuous and incomplete. While Iran held street rallies and declared a national victory, Israel claimed to have eliminated existential threats, and the U.S. touted diplomatic leadership. Yet the underlying reality points to a fragile ceasefire, exposed vulnerabilities, and unresolved risks.
Iranian state television reported that crowds rallied across Tehran and other cities to thank the armed forces for standing up to Israeli and American aggression. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials praised the armed forces for resisting the attacks and protecting Iran’s sovereignty.
But beneath the celebratory optics, Iran absorbed significant blows. Joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeted major nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. High-speed centrifuges were destroyed, and Western intelligence agencies say Iran’s uranium enrichment has been set back by several months to possibly two years. In addition, Israel reportedly assassinated more than a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists in coordinated strikes.
Iran had moved 400 kg of 60%-enriched uranium before the attacks. That material is now unaccounted for, prompting concern among intelligence agencies about potential covert storage or weaponisation. Analysts warn this quantity is enough to produce around 10 nuclear bombs, meaning Iran’s programme remains alive, even if weakened.
Iran’s military response—missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar—caused some damage but did not prevent or deter the initial strikes. Still, Iran demonstrated that it can breach Israeli airspace with more advanced missiles, revealing gaps in Israel’s air defence capabilities. While Iran failed to stop the strikes, it avoided a regime-threatening conflict and retained key components of its nuclear infrastructure, albeit more covertly.
Israel touts military success, but risks linger
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel had “achieved a historic victory,” citing the destruction of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile capability. The Israeli operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” was described as the most significant air campaign in recent years, relying heavily on Mossad intelligence and U.S. logistical support.
Israeli officials said the strikes severely damaged underground facilities and missile sites, including at Fordow and Khorramabad. Strategically, the operation may have bought Israel time, delaying Iran’s nuclear breakout timeline. But Iran’s counterattack revealed vulnerabilities. Despite its Iron Dome and other systems, Israel failed to intercept every incoming missile, raising alarms about its exposure in future conflicts.
Politically, Netanyahu used the moment to bolster his domestic position amid corruption trials and coalition instability. However, should the ceasefire unravel or Iran’s programme rebound quickly, Israel’s perceived victory could erode.
U.S. President Donald Trump also declared success, claiming the airstrikes had set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by “decades.” Intelligence agencies, however, offered a more cautious assessment, suggesting the setback may be temporary.
The ceasefire, announced by Trump and facilitated with Qatari mediation, brought short-term relief to markets and diplomats. But as analysts warn, none of the three parties can claim an unqualified win—and the foundations for long-term peace remain far from solid.
(With inputs from agencies)
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