In Breaking News, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States gained nothing from its recent military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. This was his first public statement since Iran agreed to a ceasefire with Israel on Tuesday.
During a televised speech, Khamenei said that the American attacks did not damage Iran’s nuclear program in a major way. He claimed that Iran’s missile strike on a US air base in Qatar was a strong answer and served as a warning for future action.
Key Points from Iran’s Response
- Khamenei Rejects US Claims
Khamenei dismissed the US government’s statements about the success of their strikes. He said they “accomplished nothing” and that the damage was exaggerated by former President Donald Trump and other US officials. He added that the retaliation on the US base in Qatar was a “heavy blow” and warned that Iran would strike again if attacked. - US Claims Success, Iran Disagrees
In contrast, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said intelligence showed the strikes caused serious damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Hegseth claimed the mission was a “historic success” that made Iran’s enrichment sites unusable. He also said there was no evidence Iran had moved its enriched uranium out of Fordo, a key underground site, before the attack. - Speculation About Khamenei’s Location
Until this speech, Khamenei had not been seen since June 13, when Iran and Israel began direct conflict. There were rumors he had taken shelter in a bunker and was limiting communication. Iranian officials confirmed he was in a safe location, but did not reveal where Thursday’s video was recorded. - Iran Warns of Future Strikes
Khamenei made it clear that Iran would strike again if the US or Israel attacks its territory. He said the attack on the US base in Qatar was a warning and “repeatable”. He stressed that any further aggression would have a high cost for those involved. Although no one was killed in the Qatar attack and no major damage was reported, Khamenei considered it a successful signal.
US and Iran: Conflicting Narratives
- President Trump had earlier declared that the attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites had “totally obliterated” them. However, some reports from unnamed American officials suggested that the damage might have been less than expected, sparking Trump’s angry response.
- Despite the US describing the operation as a military success, Iran insists that its nuclear program remains on track and that its scientific progress has not been stopped.
No Plans for Talks, Tensions Remain
Although some US sources, including CBS News, report that the White House is considering new offers to bring Iran back to the negotiating table—such as helping fund a civilian-only nuclear program—Iranian officials say no talks are planned.
Iran’s Foreign Minister confirmed on Thursday that there are no current discussions with the US.
Background: What Caused the Conflict?
The direct conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran could build a nuclear weapon soon if not stopped. The day before, the UN nuclear watchdog declared Iran was violating its non-proliferation agreements for the first time in 20 years.
Iran continues to claim that its nuclear program is peaceful and only for civilian use. It denies any plans to build nuclear weapons.
Iran Cuts Ties with Nuclear Inspectors
In response to the attacks and pressure, Iran’s parliament has now passed a new law to end cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This means IAEA inspectors will no longer be allowed into Iran’s nuclear sites.
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, 610 people were killed during the 12-day air campaign, while Israeli authorities reported 28 deaths.
The US entered the conflict directly last weekend, bombing nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Following that, Trump worked to quickly negotiate a ceasefire, which has remained in place so far.
UN Concern About Uranium Movement
The UN’s nuclear chief Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday that there is a possibility Iran moved its highly enriched uranium to another secret location during the attacks. If true, it would mean that Iran’s nuclear capabilities might still be intact despite the US strikes.
This Daily news highlight shows that even with a ceasefire in place, tensions remain high. While the US says the strikes were effective, Iran strongly disagrees and has warned of more action if provoked. The future of Iran’s nuclear program and US-Iran relations remains uncertain.
