Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has publicly asserted that the United States gained nothing from its recent military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. This statement comes in Khamenei's first public address since a ceasefire with Israel was established, wherein he insisted that the US "accomplished nothing significant" with their operations. In his remarks, Khamenei described the US retaliation against an airbase in Qatar as a significant blow to American forces.
While Khamenei downplayed the strikes, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that intelligence shared by the US and Israel indicated a severe setback to Iran's nuclear capabilities, claiming the strikes had destroyed significant parts of Iran’s nuclear program. President Donald Trump echoed these sentiments, stating that the strikes had "totally obliterated" key nuclear sites and responding with frustration to reports suggesting that the strikes may not have been as damaging as expected.
During a press briefing, Hegseth maintained that no enriched uranium was moved out of the Fordo facility prior to the American strikes. Khamenei’s address on Thursday was significant as he addressed speculation regarding his whereabouts amidst the ongoing conflict, having largely remained out of the public eye since the direct confrontation with Israel began on June 13.
He reiterated the potential for future strikes on US bases if Iran encounters further aggression, threatening a high cost for any attacking nation. Notably, Khamenei highlighted that the recent attack had not resulted in any casualties and that the US facility had not sustained damage, despite Trump's previous assertions.
This latest wave of tension between the nations followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's warnings in June about Iran's nuclear advancements. In response to these circumstances, Iran's parliament has authorized a halt to cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), significantly diminishing oversight of its nuclear activities. The health ministry in Iran reported a toll of 610 fatalities during the 12 days of air attacks, while Israeli sources indicated 28 deaths.
The rapid escalation in hostilities saw the US engaged after launching strikes against Iranian sites, which prompted Trump to intervene for a ceasefire. However, UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi noted concerns that Iran may have relocated its highly enriched uranium in response to the air campaign. As the situation unfolds, Khamenei's emergence signals a pivotal moment for Iran, with implications for regional stability.
