After remaining out of public view during the intense 12-day conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader returned to deliver a message of continued resistance against American pressure. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared visibly weakened by the crisis but maintained his regime’s hostile rhetoric toward the United States and Israel.
The supreme leader’s speech addressed the significant damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program by US military strikes, though he rejected characterizations of complete destruction. UN nuclear watchdog officials confirmed that the damage was indeed extensive, potentially setting back Iranian nuclear development by several years.
Khamenei emphasized Iran’s retaliatory strike against US forces in Qatar as proof of his country’s continued military effectiveness despite the bombardment. He warned that such actions demonstrated Iran’s ability to target American interests throughout the Middle East whenever Iranian leadership deemed it necessary.
The ceasefire has provided both nations with an opportunity to step back from wider conflict while maintaining their fundamental positions. Iran has begun restoring normal operations, including partial airspace reopening, while simultaneously moving to limit international oversight of its damaged nuclear program.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Threatens Escalation Despite Nuclear Program Devastation
