Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei Claims Victory After Ceasefire with Israel, Denies US Gains

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public address since the ceasefire with Israel, declaring victory over both Israel and the United States. In a prerecorded video, Khamenei downplayed the damage from recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, saying the strikes achieved nothing significant and only intervened to save Israel from destruction. He warned that Iran could strike U.S. targets in the region again if provoked and described Iran's retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar as a 'hand slap to America's face.' Khamenei praised Iranian unity and the resilience of its armed forces, asserting they penetrated Israeli defenses and dealt significant blows. The ceasefire was negotiated with the help of U.S. President Donald Trump following intense conflict that included Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and Iranian missile strikes on Israel and U.S. interests. Additionally, Iran's Guardian Council approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency amid conflicting claims about the condition of Iran's nuclear program.