Iran supreme leader: US ‘achieved nothing' from war

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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Thursday the U.S. 'achieved nothing' from its military strikes on his nation and warned against any further attacks.
In his first public remarks since the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites Saturday, Khamenei declared victory in the conflict and pushed back on President Trump's claims that the strikes were a 'spectacular military success.'
'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,' Khamenei said in his more-than 10 minute address, according to a translated passage posted to his account on the social platform X.
'It entered the war in an effort to save that regime but achieved nothing,' he added.
Trump has said that the strikes 'obliterated Iran's nuclear program,' but the Iranian supreme leader pushed back on that assessment.
'The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,' Khamenei said in the address, the AFP reported.
'The US President stated, 'Iran must surrender.' Needless to say, this statement is too big to come out of the US president's mouth,' Khamenei added.
The White House has pointed to claims suggesting the operation was a success, including by Iran's own foreign ministry spokesperson, who reportedly said, 'Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that's for sure.'
'Under President Trump's leadership, Operation Midnight Hammer was executed perfectly – obliterating Iran's nuclear capabilities and bringing them to the table for a ceasefire,' White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement to The Hill.
'This historic outcome was only possible because of America's military might and the strength of our Commander in Chief,' she added.
The supreme leader's speech was broadcast on state-run media and was his first appearance since June 19, according to The Associated Press.
The AP noted that Khamenei 'looked and sounded more tired than he did only a week ago, speaking in a hoarse voice and occasionally stumbling over his words.'
The ayatollah highlighted the Iranian counterattack on the U.S. airbase in Qatar, saying, 'The Islamic Republic delivered a heavy slap to the US's face,' even though it resulted in no casualties.
'It attacked and inflicted damage on the Al-Udeid Air Base, which is one of the key US bases in the region,' he continued.
He also warned the U.S. against taking any further action.
'The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to key US centers in the region and can take action whenever it deems necessary is a significant matter,' he said. 'Such an action can be repeated in the future too. Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price.'
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
This story was updated at 12:44 p.m.
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