In his first public statement since the announcement of the ceasefire, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared victory over Israel that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13, according to The Associated Press.
The Supreme Leader also stated that Iran has “delivered a hand slap to America’s face” on Thursday.
Significant Statement
The statement marked the first appearance of Khamenei since June 19, looking and sounding more tired than he did only a week ago.
“The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” he said.
He revealed that the US intervention in the war was basically driven by its feeling “that if it did not intervene, the Zionist regime would be utterly destroyed.”
However, the US had not achieved any gains from this war, he added.
After the outbreak of the war on June 13, Khamenei took shelter in a secret location and was not seen in public.
Iran’s Attack on Qatar
Iran launched a missile attack on an American air base in Qatar on June 23 without causing any causalities.
US President Donald Trump described the attack as a “weak response” to the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The attacks were a response to Us strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.
Israel-Iran War
On June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran under the name of Operation Rising Lion. The military campaign targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and killed top military commanders and nuclear scientists.
As a response, Iran launched a retaliatory wave of missiles against Israel and targeted Tel Aviv. Israel also killed several Iranian nuclear scientists in line with its goal to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program.
Related Topics:
Erdogan Urges Permanent Iran-Israel Ceasefire, Calls for Gaza Truce
US-Iran Talks to Take Place Next Week: Trump
Israel Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breach, Tehran Denies
