Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made his first public statement since the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, addressing both Iranian citizens and international audiences through social media and a televised address.

The ceasefire, brokered earlier in the week, brought a temporary halt to the most recent round of hostilities, which included retaliatory missile strikes and heightened tensions involving multiple nations. In his statement, Khamenei claimed that Iran had successfully defended itself during the conflict and referred to recent U.S. airstrikes as ineffective.

Speaking on social media, Khamenei stated: “My congratulations on our dear Iran’s victory. The U.S. entered the conflict to support its allies but achieved nothing of significance.” He further described the missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—one of the key American military installations in the region—as a “heavy slap” delivered by Iran.

The missile attack on June 23 was in retaliation for a previous strike reportedly targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. While the operation, code-named Midnight Hammer, was presented by U.S. officials as a significant success, some reports have suggested that the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities may have been limited.

The Defense Intelligence Agency is said to have conducted a preliminary assessment, indicating that Iran’s enriched uranium reserves remained largely intact. These findings have not been confirmed publicly by the U.S. government but have drawn sharp reactions.

Former President Donald Trump, responding via Truth Social, strongly denied the claims and maintained that the airstrike was “one of the most successful military operations in history.” He insisted the targeted nuclear sites were “completely destroyed.”

White House officials have also pushed back on the reports, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that

the mission was executed precisely,” and that criticism from media outlets was an attempt to downplay the actions of U.S. forces.

In his televised remarks, Khamenei also responded to comments made by President Trump, calling them “unusually exaggerated and reaffirming that Iran remains committed to defending its sovereignty. He characterized the recent events as proof of Iran’s military readiness and national unity.

As of now, the ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding, though the region remains tense.

Observers are closely monitoring any new developments, particularly those related to diplomatic efforts or renewed military action.

The situation continues to evolve, and international leaders are expected to address the matter further during ongoing diplomatic meetings in Europe.