Ceasefire Holds Amid Fiery Rhetoric from Tehran
A fragile ceasefire between Iranian and Israeli forces has taken hold following weeks of intense conflict, with US involvement escalating tensions before an uneasy truce was brokered. In his first public statement since the outbreak of hostilities, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addressed the nation via a pre-recorded video, declaring what he described as a “victory” over Israel and the United States.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a video message, praised Iran for what he described as a “victory” over Israel.
Khamenei’s statements come in the aftermath of a series of US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which US President Donald Trump claimed “obliterated” key enrichment sites. However, the Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, rejected that assessment outright, insisting the US “gained no achievement” and branding the strikes ineffective.
My congratulations on our dear Iran’s victory over the US regime. The US regime entered the war directly because it felt that if it didn’t, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. It entered the war in an effort to save that regime but achieved nothing.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2025
I offer my congratulations on the victory over the fallacious Zionist regime.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2025
Khamenei Claims Iran Delivered ‘Heavy Slap’ to US
In his address, the Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, congratulated his nation on what he called a “hard-earned success,” claiming Iran not only resisted aggression but retaliated with decisive force.
“The Islamic Republic delivered a heavy slap to the US’s face,” Khamenei said, referring to a missile strike on the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. “It attacked and inflicted damage on one of the key US bases in the region.”
The Islamic Republic delivered a heavy slap to the US’s face. It attacked and inflicted damage on the Al-Udeid Air Base, which is one of the key US bases in the region.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2025
Although the US reported no casualties and minimal damage from the Iranian retaliation, Khamenei insisted the symbolic blow had far-reaching consequences. He issued a pointed warning: “Such an action can be repeated in the future. Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price.”
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
Iranian-Israel Tensions Boil Over
The recent flare-up began on June 13, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confidently mentioned and warned that Iran was nearing nuclear weapons capability. The following day, Israeli forces struck several targets within Iran, including scientific facilities and suspected weapons labs. Tehran responded with retaliatory strikes, culminating in a brief but brutal conflict that drew in US forces.
The involvement of the United States was swift and forceful. Using precision bunker-buster bombs, the US struck nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later told reporters the operation had “significantly damaged” Iran’s nuclear program and set it “back by years.”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that, according to intelligence from both the US and Israel, the strikes caused major damage to Iran’s nuclear program. [Image Credit: Eric Lee/The New York Times]
However, the Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, dismissed these claims, saying: “They couldn’t accomplish anything and did not achieve their objective.”
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Khamenei Ridicules Trump’s Remarks
Khamenei did not hold back in criticising US President Donald Trump. Mocking Trump’s earlier statement that “Iran must surrender,” Khamenei said, “This statement is too big to come out of the US president’s mouth.”
He accused the United States of entering the war solely to prevent the “Zionist regime” from collapse. “The US regime entered the war directly because it felt that if it didn’t, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed,” he claimed.
Khamenei’s repeated use of “Zionist regime” is consistent with Iranian state rhetoric that refuses to recognise Israel’s legitimacy. His remarks inflamed an already fragile Iranian-Israel relationship, but the ceasefire, mediated by the US, has so far held.
Conflicting Views on Nuclear Talks
Adding to the confusion, President Trump announced that talks between US and Iranian officials would take place next week to discuss Iran’s nuclear future. Yet Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, denied any such meeting had been arranged.
Araghchi told Iranian state television that no talks with the US had been scheduled and mentioned that Iran was still evaluating whether engaging in dialogue would serve its national interest.
This contradiction highlights the growing mistrust between Tehran and Washington. While the US insists it only seeks to limit Iran’s nuclear capability for peaceful ends, Iranian leaders view any American intervention as a front for regime change or regional dominance.
Russia Calls for Continued Cooperation
On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Iran to maintain its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Lavrov noted that while Iran’s parliament had passed a bill to cut ties with the IAEA, the measure was not legally binding.
“We are interested in everyone respecting the Iranian supreme leader, who has repeatedly stated that Iran does not and will not have plans to create nuclear weapons,” Lavrov said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. [Credit: Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/AFP]
Iran has consistently mentioned that its nuclear program is civilian, intended for energy production rather than weaponisation. However, Western powers remain sceptical, especially after the recent escalation.
Fallout and Casualties
Iran’s Health Ministry reported that 610 people died during the 12 days of airstrikes, while Israel said 28 of its citizens were killed. No fatalities occurred during Iran’s strike on the US air base, but the potential for future confrontations remains high.
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi noted on Wednesday that it’s possible Tehran moved enriched uranium to undisclosed locations before the US strikes—raising concerns about transparency.
What’s Next?
Though the ceasefire holds for now, the rhetoric from the Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei signals that the situation remains volatile. His speech clearly stated that Iran retains the capability and intent to strike US and Israeli targets if provoked.
The world watches with cautious optimism as leaders weigh diplomacy against retaliation. With nuclear tension hanging in the balance, any misstep could reignite the Iranian-Israel conflict on a devastating scale.
For now, Tehran celebrates what it sees as a moral and strategic victory. But for many in the region, the fear of another flare-up is ever-present.
