Iran’s Supreme Leader Claims Victory over Israel in First Public Remarks Since Ceasefire

In his first public address since the ceasefire took effect, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted Iran's triumph over both Israel and the United States. Speaking from a concealed location—flanked by the Iranian flag and a portrait of Khomeini—he said Tehran had delivered a “hand slap” to U.S. forces after missile strikes hit the U.S. base in Qatar

Earlier today, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a new video statement claiming victory over Israel and the U.S. while vowing Iran would never surrender.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “First, I would like to congratulate them for victory over the fake Zionist regime. With all those claims that the Zionist regime were making, they almost were crushed under the blows of the Islamic government.”

They were Khamenei’s first public comments in over a week. Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament has unanimously agreed to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, following the U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed at least 950 Iranians, according to one count. This is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: “Despite the recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency has not condemned them, not even superficially. It has undermined the agency’s international credibility, and for this reason, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is suspending its cooperation with the IAEA until the security of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will proceed at a faster pace.”

In other developments on Iran, Iranian state media reports authorities have arrested more than 700 people accused of having ties with Israel. At least three people were executed on Wednesday for allegedly collaborating with Israel.

He further claimed that U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites “did nothing significant,” accusing Washington of exaggeration

Khamenei also declared Iran would never surrender and affirmed that “any future U.S. or Israeli aggression would be met with a heavy price”

Why He Emerged Now — The Stakes Are High

Symbolic timing: This was his first statement since the 12‑day war, signaling resilience and control.

Home-front morale: With Iranian skies reopening and shops reopening, the speech aimed to reassure a war-fatigued public

Strategic posture: Placing responsibility on Washington and declaring readiness to hit U.S. bases established deterrence.

Khamenei's core message: Iran lost no ground, inflicted symbolic retaliation, and won the narrative.

Fallout & Analysis Grid

Stakeholder Takeaway

Iran (Khamenei) Victory claimed, deterrence declared, nuclear program intact

USA (Trump Admin) Pressures for nuclear deal; claims of successful strikes

Israel (Netanyahu) Celebrates strategic objectives; remains on guard

Global Powers NATO seeks de-escalation; Europe urges diplomacy

USA–Iran Talks on Deck

Despite Khamenei’s defiant tone, the U.S. under Trump is pushing for nuclear talks next week, intending to extract a commitment from Tehran to halt enrichment programs

It's a delicate dance: a mix of hard-line rhetoric and back-channel diplomacy.

Why This Matters—Big Picture

Escalation risk: Any misstep could reignite conflict.

Strategic messaging: Iran shows it can reach U.S. interests without escalating.

Diplomatic opening: Ceasefire allows for potential détente.

Nuclear stakes: Damage assessments from sanctions vs reality are under debate

What to Watch Next

Next week’s talks between U.S. and Iran—will they yield commitments, or stall again?

Iran’s path—will nuclear inspections resume or cease under parliament’s advisory freeze ?

Regional reactions—will Israel or Gulf states push back against renewed Iran‑US engagement?

Khamenei’s declaration isn’t just about who landed the bigger stick—it’s a calculated gamble: win the perception battle at home and abroad, then use that leverage in talks. If diplomacy succeeds, it may mark a turning point from fire to forum. If not, the region could spiral back toward confrontation.

Peace is fragile. For now, it’s a ceasefire—an uneasy pause in a larger power game.