DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In a recent address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proclaimed that his country had delivered a “slap to America’s face” following its strike on an American base in Qatar. This statement came during his first public appearance since a ceasefire was declared with Israel after 12 days of intense warfare. Khamenei's remarks were broadcasted in a recorded video on Iranian state television, marking his first public communication since June 19.
The 86-year-old leader appeared visibly fatigued, speaking in a hoarse voice and occasionally stuttering, indicating a decline in his health compared to just a week prior. His speech, lasting over 10 minutes, was laden with warnings and threats aimed at both the United States and Israel. He downplayed the impact of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which utilized bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, dismissing claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that the attacks “completely and fully obliterated Iran’s nuclear program.” Khamenei asserted that the U.S. could not achieve any significant outcomes from the strikes.
However, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi, countered Khamenei's claims, stating that the damage inflicted by Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities was “very, very, very considerable.” Grossi described the damage as “enormous,” although he felt the term “annihilated” was excessive. This indicates a significant concern regarding the state of Iran's nuclear capabilities following the attacks.
Furthermore, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, acknowledged on Wednesday that “our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.” Khamenei has remained largely out of the public eye since June 13, when he took refuge in a secret location following Israeli attacks targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and prominent military figures.
In the wake of the recent U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump played a crucial role in brokering a ceasefire that came into effect on Tuesday. Khamenei suggested that U.S. intervention was motivated by a desire to prevent the complete destruction of the “Zionist regime.” He asserted that the U.S. gained nothing from its involvement in the conflict.
Khamenei emphasized the significance of Iran's attack on the U.S. base in Qatar, claiming it demonstrates Iran’s capability to strike at key U.S. positions in the region whenever it chooses. “The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” he stated, warning that such actions could be repeated in the future. He firmly stated, “Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price.”
Since the declaration of the ceasefire, life in Iran has gradually returned to normal. On Thursday, the country partially reopened its airspace, which had been closed since the outbreak of the war. Shops in the capital city of Tehran resumed operations, and traffic began to fill the streets once more. Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, confirmed that Iran had reopened airspace for the eastern half of the country, allowing both domestic and international flights to operate, including those transiting Iranian airspace.
In a report earlier this week, Iranian officials claimed that 606 people had lost their lives due to the conflict, with an additional 5,332 individuals wounded. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group reported that Israeli strikes on Iran had resulted in at least 1,054 deaths and 4,476 injuries. Among those killed, 417 were civilians, while 318 were security personnel. In Israel, at least 28 individuals have died, with over 1,000 reported wounded.
In a surprising turn of events, Trump has asserted that American and Iranian officials will engage in discussions next week, igniting cautious optimism for a potential long-term peace agreement. Despite this, Iran has not confirmed any plans for talks, although U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff noted that there has been both direct and indirect communication between the two nations. A sixth round of U.S.-Iran negotiations planned for earlier this month in Oman was canceled after the Israeli attacks on June 13.
Iran has consistently maintained its stance on retaining its nuclear program. In a move reflecting the challenging road ahead, the Iranian parliament voted to expedite a proposal that would effectively halt the country’s cooperation with the IAEA, which has been monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities for years.
This evolving situation continues to be closely monitored by international observers, highlighting the fragile nature of peace in the region and the complexities surrounding Iran's nuclear ambitions.
