Israel-Iran war: Iran’s Khamenei issues CHILLING warning to US in first address since ceasefire, says Tehran will…
Israel-Iran war: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday issued a stern warning to Israel and its ally, the United States, stating that America will “pay a heavy price” if the Islamic Republic is attacked again. In his first televised address since the Israel-Iran ceasefire came into effect, Ayatollah Khamenei claimed that Iran had delivered a “slap to America’s face” with its missile strike on the US military base in Qatar.
US entered war to ‘save’ Israel, gained ‘nothing’
Iran’s Supreme Leader also claimed that the US gained “nothing” from entering the Israel-Iran war, and was forced to intervene because “it felt that if it did not intervene, the Zionist regime would be utterly destroyed. It entered the war to save them, yet it gained nothing.”
During the over 10-minute pre-recorded address which was broadcast on Iranian state television, the 86-year-old supreme leader hurled a volley of threats and warnings towards the US and Israel, and also claimed that his country had emerged “victorious” in the 12-day war against the Jewish state.
“The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face, this action can be repeated in the future,” Ayatollah Khamenei asserted, warning that “the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price, should any aggression occur”.
Khamenei warns US, Israel against further attacks
Khamenei also touted the Iranian missile strike on the Al-Udeid air base in Doha, Qatar, which is largest US base in the Middle East, and serves as the headquarters of the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The Iranian leader said his country’s attack on the US base in Qatar on Monday was significant, and shows Iran “has access to important US centers in the region and can act against them whenever it deems necessary.”
Further, the Supreme Leader also downplayed the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, which were targeted with 13000 lbs bunker-buster bombs, asserting that US President Donald Trump had “exaggerated” the impact of the strikes, which “could not achieve anything significant”.
Trump says US-Iran talks next week
Thursday’s address marked Khamenei’s first public comments since a US-enforced ceasefire brought hostilities to an end in the 12-day long Israel-Iran war. According to media reports, the Supreme Leader was taken to a highly-secure shelter at a secret location after the Israel-Iran war erupted on June 13 when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities and targeted top military commanders and scientists.
After 12 days of war, Donald Trump was able to negotiate a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, that came into effect on Tuesday. The US President has also asserted that American and Iranian officials will talk next week, however, Tehran has not acknowledged that any such talks would take place, thought Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has said there has been direct and indirect communication between the countries.
(With inputs from agencies)
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