Key facts
- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared victory over Israel and the US following a ceasefire.
- Khamenei stated Israel was 'crushed' by Iranian strikes and the US intervention failed.
- Major General Ali Abdollahi asserted Iran's victory and deterrent capabilities.
- US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire and plans for future talks with Iran.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied immediate plans for US talks.
- Khamenei downplayed the impact of recent strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has declared victory over Israel and claimed the United States was dealt a blow, stating that Israel was "crushed" under Iranian strikes. In his first public remarks since a ceasefire took effect, Khamenei asserted that the US failed to achieve its objectives.
Major General Ali Abdollahi echoed this sentiment, stating that the world would soon witness "the echo of Iran’s victory and the triumph of the resistance." He added that the assassination of Iranian military masterminds by a "weak and predatory enemy" had failed to breach Iran's defensive will, instead demonstrating the nation's deterrent capabilities and strength.
Khamenei's video message, delivered from a secure location, also addressed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had demanded Iran "surrender." Khamenei dismissed this as insulting and indicative of a broader US objective to force the Islamic Republic into submission, vowing that Iran would never accept such humiliation.
Despite Trump's announcement of a ceasefire and plans for new talks with Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contradicted this, stating that Tehran was assessing whether talks with the US were in its interest and had no immediate plans to meet. Khamenei also downplayed the impact of recent Israeli and US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, accusing Trump of exaggeration.
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, defended the administration's actions amidst reports questioning the extent of damage to Iran's nuclear program. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was scheduled to hold a press conference regarding the attacks' impact.