Tehran: In his first public remarks since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended nearly two weeks of conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stern warning to Washington, asserting that any future military action against Iran would provoke a direct retaliatory strike on American forces in the region.
Speaking in a pre-recorded video message broadcast on state television Thursday, Khamenei declared that Iran had "emerged victorious" in the confrontation and had “slapped America in the face” by launching missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar earlier in the week—a strike that caused no casualties as the rockets were intercepted.
“The Islamic Republic was victorious, and in response, struck one of America's key regional bases,” Khamenei said, crediting Iranian capabilities with deterring further escalation. He claimed the United States intervened only to prevent Israel from facing a devastating defeat. “Washington stepped in because it feared the Zionist regime was on the verge of collapse.”
The ayatollah’s speech marked his first public appearance since reportedly going into hiding following the outbreak of hostilities on June 13, when Israeli airstrikes hit multiple Iranian nuclear and military sites. A massive American bombing campaign days later targeted Iran's underground Fordow nuclear facility using bunker-buster munitions, intensifying fears of a broader regional war.
The ceasefire, mediated by the United States, took effect Tuesday after back-channel negotiations involving President Donald Trump. The U.S. president, when asked whether another strike could be launched if Iran resumed its nuclear activities, responded bluntly: “Sure.”
Khamenei’s comments came as Iran’s parliament voted to curtail cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, citing its silence following attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. The legislation, which still requires approval from the powerful Guardian Council, would place strict conditions on future international inspections of Iran’s nuclear program.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the IAEA of abandoning neutrality and said Iran would suspend collaboration until it could guarantee the safety of its facilities.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei reinforced Tehran’s stance on its nuclear rights, stating that Iran remains committed to peaceful nuclear development under Article 4 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He also accused the U.S. and Israel of “destroying diplomacy” with their coordinated military actions.
“The Islamic Republic will not yield to threats,” Khamenei concluded. “Our response will be proportionate and determined. Any new aggression will come at a heavy cost.”
