Khamenei Warns of Strikes on US Bases if Attacked Again
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday declared victory in the 12-day conflict with Israel and warned that any future US attacks would prompt retaliation against American military bases in the Middle East. This marked his first televised address since the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Khamenei, 86, credited Iran’s missile strike on the largest US base in Qatar—launched after Washington intervened in support of Israel—as a decisive moment in the conflict.
“The Islamic Republic dealt a blow to America by targeting one of its key bases in the region,” Khamenei said, delivering his pre-recorded speech from an undisclosed indoor location, seated between the Iranian flag and a portrait of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
‘We Will Not Surrender’
Khamenei dismissed US President Donald Trump’s calls for Iran to capitulate, vowing that Iran would never submit to American demands.
“Trump exposed the reality: America won’t be content with anything short of our surrender — and that will never happen,” he said.
He added, “The Islamic Republic’s ability to target vital American centres in the region is no small matter. This capability could be exercised again if aggression continues.”
No Real Gains for the US
Khamenei claimed the US achieved “nothing” from its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and had joined the conflict only to rescue Israel after Iranian missiles breached its air defenses.
“The US intervened because it feared the Zionist regime would collapse without its help,” he stated.
He criticized Trump’s use of massive bombs against Iran’s nuclear sites as “abnormal showmanship” and insisted that the strikes caused no serious damage.
Although Trump claimed the attacks had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme, US intelligence reportedly offered a more cautious assessment, casting doubt on that claim.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also declared a “historic victory” following the ceasefire, asserting that Israel had neutralized Iran’s nuclear and missile threats. Shortly after Khamenei’s address, Netanyahu posted an image of himself with Trump, vowing to “defeat our common enemies” together.
Iran Partially Reopens Eastern Airspace
Following the ceasefire, Iran announced the partial reopening of its eastern airspace for domestic and international flights.
“The eastern half of the country’s airspace is now open for domestic and overflight traffic,” said Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development.
However, flights from Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport and Imam Khomeini International Airport remain suspended until further notice.
The reopening follows the US-brokered ceasefire that ended 12 days of hostilities. The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, triggering a retaliatory barrage of missiles and drones from Tehran.
