Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emerged from hiding today to declare victory over Israel and claim his country had "delivered a hand slap to America's face" during his first public address since the “obliteration” of multiple nuclear enrichment facilities.Khamenei described the Islamic Republic as "victorious" in the 12 day conflict, despite losing years of nuclear program progress. More than a dozen leading scientists were killed, and three nuclear enrichment facilities were destroyed during the fighting."The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America's face," said Khamenei in a televised speech that appeared to contradict the reality of Iran's losses.Khamenei had been in hiding since Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” on June 13. He reportedly feared assassination attempts by Israeli forces during the intensive military campaign..Israel fired hundreds of missiles around Tehran and conducted covert operations that destroyed Iran's ground-to-air and ground-to-ground defence systems. The attacks severely damaged Iran's military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities.Khamenei's public appearance came five days after President Trump ordered B-2 bombers to target the underground Fordow nuclear site with bunker-busting bombs.Nuclear capable submarines simultaneously launched cruise missiles at the Natanz and Isfahan facilities."US hit nuclear sites but couldn't achieve much," said Khamenei in his speech, before directly criticizing Trump's military response."US President Trump needed to do showmanship," said Khamenei, dismissing the American military action as theatre..The Supreme Leader also posted on social media platform Twitter/X, writing that "the Zionist regime was practically knocked out and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic." Khamenei’s comments marked the first public statements since a ceasefire was agreed upon between Iran and Israel.Trump announced the ceasefire on June 23, though tensions remained high. Hours later, Israel reported that Tehran had fired missiles, and Trump criticized both nations for potential violations.Israeli fighter jets launched toward Iran but did not conduct attacks. ."ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly 'Plane Wave' to Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social on June 24.Speaking to reporters before the NATO summit on June 24, Trump said both countries may have violated the agreement. "I think they both violated it," said Trump, referring to Israel's threat to attack after accusing Iran of breaking the ceasefire terms.The ceasefire has since held as the United States and Qatar work to bring Iran back to negotiations regarding its nuclear energy program.
