Monday, 25 May 2026
In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks to a group of people and officials in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 21, 2025. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
Iran’s Khamenei claims victory over U.S., warns of further action after ceasefire with Israel
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday declared that his country had “dealt a slap to America’s face,” and cautioned the U.S. against any further attacks, marking his first public statement since a ceasefire with Israel was established.
Appearing via video on Iranian state television for the first time since June 19, Khamenei looked noticeably more fatigued than in his most recent appearances, according to AP.
Addressing viewers, he claimed that American involvement in the conflict was driven by fears that “the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed” without U.S. intervention.
Despite this, Khamenei asserted that the United States “gained nothing from this war.”
“In this confrontation, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious and, in response, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” he said, seemingly referring to Monday’s Iranian missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, which resulted in no casualties.
He also warned that “such actions could happen again,” emphasizing that Iran maintains “access to critical U.S. sites in the region and has the capability to act whenever necessary.”
“If any act of aggression occurs,” Khamenei concluded, “the enemy will undoubtedly face severe consequences.”