Iran's Khamenei claims win over Israel, says US 'achieved nothing'

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered his first public address since the US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel, claiming that Iran had emerged victorious in the 12-day conflict.

Speaking in Tehran, Khamenei declared that Israel had suffered a “crushing defeat,” and accused the United States of stepping in only to prevent Israel’s total collapse.

“America intervened, but they achieved nothing,” he said. “Iran delivered a heavy slap to the face of the United States.”

In his remarks, Khamenei praised Iran’s armed forces and allies across the region for standing up to “Zionist aggression,” and directly threatened that any future attack on Iran’s nuclear or military infrastructure would trigger swift retaliation.

He referred to Iran’s recent missile strike on a US military base in Qatar as a “limited warning” and said Iran “retains the right to respond decisively if provoked again.”

The speech comes days after a tense ceasefire agreement brokered by Washington brought a halt to what had become the most dangerous confrontation between Iran and Israel in over a decade.

While Israeli officials have claimed to severely damage Iran’s nuclear capabilities in the strikes on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, Iranian authorities maintain that the program remains intact and have vowed to rebuild swiftly.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have reportedly killed more than 80 Palestinians in the last 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Many of the casualties were reported near humanitarian aid distribution centers in northern Gaza. Al Jazeera, citing local sources, reported that families waiting for food and water were caught in airstrikes around Jabalia and Zeitoun.

Several aid convoys were turned back due to ongoing bombardment, raising fresh concerns over access to basic supplies for displaced civilians.

Tensions in the occupied West Bank also escalated on Wednesday after three Palestinians were killed in a settler attack in the village of al-Mughayyir, near Ramallah.

Eyewitnesses told international media outlets that armed Israeli settlers opened fire at civilians during an olive harvest, prompting outrage from Palestinian leaders and renewed international calls for Israel to rein in settler violence.

The United Nations has warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where nearly 75% of the population has been displaced since the escalation began. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “an immediate end to attacks on civilians and full respect for humanitarian corridors.”

Despite the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, hostilities on the ground in Gaza show little sign of easing. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic efforts and concrete humanitarian guarantees, the region remains at risk of renewed conflict.