Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made headlines on June 26, 2025, with his first public statement since a short ceasefire with Israel. Breaking his silence after staying out of sight during recent tensions, he took to Twitter to declare Iran’s victory over the “U.S. regime,” igniting a wave of reactions. His words offered a defiant perspective on the recent U.S.-Iran clashes, capturing global attention.
Khamenei claimed the U.S. attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 21 in a mission dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer” to bolster Israel, but he insisted the strikes fell short. He highlighted Iran’s response, an attack on the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, which he said dealt a significant blow to a major U.S. base, though no lives were lost. His posts framed Iran as the stronger force in this conflict.
In a televised address, Khamenei called President Trump’s claims of a successful U.S. strike overblown, aligning with a CNN report that cited a Defense Intelligence Agency assessment saying Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile wasn’t destroyed. He portrayed the U.S. effort as ineffective, boosting Iran’s image as resilient in the face of military action.
Trump responded on Truth Social, rejecting the media reports as “fake news” meant to undermine a triumphant U.S. strike. He claimed Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this, calling the reports inaccurate and praising the U.S. pilots for a flawless mission using fourteen massive bombs to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The sharp contrast between Khamenei’s victory claims and Trump’s rebuttals has fueled online debates, with each side pushing its narrative. This war of words highlights the ongoing tensions and the stakes of the conflict. Khamenei’s speech, bold and unyielding, sets a defiant tone, leaving the world watching for the next chapter in this high-stakes showdown.
