Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public address since the ceasefire, asserted that the US gained no significant achievements from their strikes. He described Iran's retaliation against a US air base in Qatar as a comprehensive counterattack and threatened further strikes if provoked again. Meanwhile, US officials claim the strikes have severely hindered Iran's nuclear program.
### Khamenei Declares US Strikes Ineffective, Promises Retaliation
### Khamenei Declares US Strikes Ineffective, Promises Retaliation
Iran's supreme leader claims US airstrikes on nuclear sites achieved nothing substantial, as tensions escalate following a recent ceasefire with Israel.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressed the nation for the first time since a ceasefire with Israel, asserting that the US missed its mark with recent airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. In his televised remarks, Khamenei confidently declared that the US "gained no accomplishments" from the attacks, emphasizing that their operations had little impact on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Khamenei characterized the American counterstrike on a military base in Qatar as a significant retaliation and warned that should the US engage in further attacks, Iran would respond forcefully. His comments came amid claims from US officials that the airstrikes had effectively crippled Iran's nuclear capabilities.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth touted the airstrikes as a "historic success," suggesting that intelligence assessments indicated critical damage to Iran's enrichment facilities, specifically calling attention to the Fordo site. President Donald Trump supported these assertions, asserting the strikes had "totally obliterated" key targets.
Khamenei, having kept a low profile due to escalating tensions following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements about Iran's nuclear potential, refuted claims of any significant outcomes from the strikes. He posited that US actions, including military engagements in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, failed to achieve their intended objectives.
The supreme leader also condemned the US actions as exaggerated, threatening that Iran's response could prove costly for its adversaries. He referred to the Qatar strikes as an example of potential retaliation should Tehran face further aggression. Despite the airstrikes, Iranian authorities reported they sustained considerable civilian casualties, underscoring the complex humanitarian aspects of the ongoing conflict.
In parallel, Iran's parliament has moved to limit cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), indicating a potential shift in diplomatic transparency. Thus, as tensions remain high, both Iran and the US continue to navigate a treacherous landscape fraught with military and political repercussions.
