Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jun 26: In his first public comments since the ceasefire that halted the recent 12-day conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a fierce rebuke of Washington and its leadership, declaring Iran the victor and accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of empty theatrics.

In a televised address and a statement carried by state media, Khamenei said, “The Islamic Republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America.” He accused the U.S. of directly joining the conflict by targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities but claimed Washington “gained nothing from this war.”

“The U.S. believed it could prevent Israel’s collapse by intervening,” he said, “but it misjudged Iran’s strength and resilience.”

Khamenei mocked Trump’s conduct during the crisis, calling it “showmanship” meant for domestic optics rather than achieving real results. “Trump needed to do showmanship. His aggression was political theatre,” Khamenei stated, warning that any future act of hostility against Iran “will come at a great cost.”

The ceasefire, reached earlier this week, brought an end to escalating hostilities that had seen both Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, including key nuclear infrastructure. Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone attacks that it claims demonstrated its strategic and technological capabilities.

Downplaying the impact of the strikes on its nuclear sites, Iranian authorities have maintained that the damage was “limited” and asserted that the response showcased Iran’s readiness to defend itself against coordinated Western aggression.

Khamenei used the address to further frame the conflict as a geopolitical and ideological victory. “I want to congratulate the great Iranian nation... for its victory over the fallacious Zionist regime,” he said.

He reiterated longstanding accusations that Western nations use Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes as pretexts to undermine its sovereignty. “Iran’s enemies speak of missiles and nuclear issues, but what they truly seek is our surrender,” he said.

The Supreme Leader’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and shifting alliances, with the ceasefire providing a temporary pause but little indication of long-term resolution.