In a defiant and visibly frail appearance, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resurfaced on Thursday to deliver a blistering tirade against the United States and Israel, claiming that Iran’s missile strike on an American base in Qatar was a “slap to America’s face” and a warning of what’s to come.

The pre-recorded speech, broadcast on Iranian state television, marked Khamenei’s first public remarks since disappearing into a bunker on June 13—the day Israel began its surprise offensive against Iran’s nuclear facilities. His hoarse voice, stumbling delivery, and tired demeanor betrayed the strain of the past two weeks, yet his words were filled with fire and fury.

“The Islamic Republic was victorious,” Khamenei declared. “In retaliation, we delivered a slap to the face of the arrogant Americans. And let the world know: we can do it again. At any time.”

Downplaying Destruction While the IAEA Says Iran’s Program Was “Severely Damaged”

Despite clear evidence to the contrary, Khamenei mocked U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that last weekend’s joint Israeli-American bombing obliterated Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Iranian supreme leader crawls out of bunker to ludicrously claim victory over Israel: Tehran ‘delivered a hand slap to America’s face’ https://t.co/VYiErnxSTs pic.twitter.com/mUnG6mzOm6

— New York Post (@nypost) June 26, 2025

“They achieved nothing. Trump is exaggerating again,” Khamenei scoffed, dismissing the multiple bunker-buster bombings that devastated uranium enrichment and R&D sites.

However, the International Atomic Energy Agency disagreed.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told RFI that the damage was “very, very, very considerable” and “enormous,” noting that while “annihilated” may be too strong a word, Iran’s program suffered “crippling blows.”

Even Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei conceded, “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.”

Khamenei just admitted to committing war crimes. On purpose. Explicitly. pic.twitter.com/QPz2ZVbII0

— Ben B@dejo (@BenTelAviv) June 26, 2025

Khamenei: America Intervened to Rescue Israel from Collapse

In a particularly incendiary claim, Khamenei said the U.S. only joined the war to rescue a failing Zionist regime.

“The Americans saw that the Zionist regime was on the verge of collapse,” he claimed. “They didn’t intervene out of strategy or strength. They panicked. They knew we were about to deliver the final blow.”

Khamenei's statement frames the ceasefire—brokered by President Trump—as an act of desperation rather than diplomacy.

My congratulations on our dear Iran’s victory over the US regime. The US regime entered the war directly because it felt that if it didn’t, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. It entered the war in an effort to save that regime but achieved nothing.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2025

Iran Struck U.S. Base in Qatar: A Warning Shot, Khamenei Says

According to Tehran, Monday’s ballistic missile attack on the American base in Qatar was not just retaliation—it was a message.

“We have access to important U.S. centers in the region,” the supreme leader warned. “We can act against them whenever we deem necessary.”

He added ominously, “Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price.”

Life Resumes in Tehran Amid Ceasefire—and Shadow Diplomacy

With a tense ceasefire in place, Iran has begun emerging from wartime paralysis. Shops in Tehran reopened Thursday, and traffic slowly resumed as the capital shook off the fog of war. The government has also partially reopened its airspace after nearly two weeks of closure.

Yet beneath the surface, tensions continue to simmer.

Though Iran denies direct talks with Washington, U.S. Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff has confirmed both direct and indirect communications are underway. A sixth round of nuclear negotiations, originally scheduled to take place in Oman earlier this month, was abruptly canceled following Israel’s June 13 attacks.

Iranian Parliament Escalates: Moves to End Cooperation with UN Watchdog

This is how the Islamic Regime of Iran and its proxies are depicting the events.

Trump on his knees, begging in front of their "Supreme Leader" Khamenei.

Their state media features and thanks people like Candace Owens, Thomas Massie, Theo Von, and Nick Fuentes. pic.twitter.com/4IkgI9qMlt

— Ridvan Aydemir | Apostate Prophet 🎗 (@ApostateProphet) June 24, 2025

In a dramatic move that could further isolate Iran on the world stage, the Iranian parliament voted Wednesday to fast-track a bill that would effectively end the country’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The bill signals Tehran’s resolve to rebuild its nuclear program at any cost, rejecting Western pressure in the clearest terms yet.

EDITORIAL NOTE:

Khamenei’s reappearance is no mere symbolic gesture—it’s a calculated move to reassert dominance in a region now permanently transformed by the unprecedented war between Iran and Israel. His threats, bluster, and denial cannot mask the truth: Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been set back significantly, and its leaders are rattled.

But if anyone thinks the Islamic Republic is finished, they are sorely mistaken. The battle for regional supremacy is far from over—and the next “slap” may not just be symbolic.