Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned of further strikes on United States military bases in the region should Iran face another attack by American forces.
Khamenei, speaking in a nationally televised address on Thursday, hailed what he described as a “victory” in Iran’s 12-day war with Israel—the deadliest confrontation between the two adversaries to date. His remarks came two days after a ceasefire was brokered, halting the hostilities.
The Supreme Leader lashed out at the United States for its airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites during the conflict, claiming they had minimal impact and accusing President Donald Trump of exaggerating the outcome for political gain.
“The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,” Khamenei said.
“The Islamic republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America.”
Khamenei referenced Iran’s missile barrage on a major US base in the Middle East, which he claimed was part of a justified retaliation. He also declared that Iran’s strikes had pushed Israel to the brink of collapse.
“I want to congratulate the great Iranian nation… for its victory over the fallacious Zionist regime,” Khamenei said, calling Israel’s military infrastructure “crippled.”
Conflicting Claims Over Nuclear Strikes
While Khamenei downplayed the effectiveness of American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, US intelligence assessments and officials offered differing perspectives.
A classified US report, first leaked to CNN, suggested that the bombings of Iran’s nuclear sites—including the Fordo facility, buried deep inside a mountain—set back Iran’s nuclear programme by months at most, rather than years.
However, former President Trump disputed that, insisting that the US operation had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capability and set it back by decades. He said US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would give an official briefing to support the administration’s stance.
“The attack obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities… We may sign an agreement. I don’t know,” Trump said, alluding to upcoming peace talks.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said several nuclear facilities were “destroyed” and would take years to rebuild.
The Israeli military echoed those claims, stating its coordinated strikes with the US delivered a “significant blow” and vowing to prevent any efforts by Iran to revive its nuclear programme.
“We have thwarted Iran’s nuclear project,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “If anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination.”
Civilian Casualties and Diplomatic Fallout
Iran’s health ministry reported that at least 627 civilians were killed in the Israeli strikes. In contrast, Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks reportedly killed 28 people in Israel.
A state funeral is planned for Saturday in Tehran for high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists who were killed during the war.
Prospects for Peace Talks
Despite the destruction, both sides have shown signs of diplomatic openness. Trump confirmed that nuclear talks between Iran and the US were scheduled to resume next week, with special envoy Steve Witkoff leading discussions aimed at securing a comprehensive peace agreement.
Iran has continued to assert its right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy, denying any intention to build nuclear weapons. Officials said Tehran remained open to negotiations with Washington if mutual respect and terms are upheld.
