The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claimed that the US strikes had no bearing on the situation.
On 26 June 2025, in his first speech following the post-ceasefire, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed Iran’s stance in the conflict on Iranian state television.
President Donald Trump exaggerated the impact on Iran’s nuclear projects at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, according to Khamenei.
Iran’s reaction to the US base in Qatar, he claimed, was a “slap to America’s face”. He further threatened retaliation if Israel or the US provokes him once more.
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT BY ISRAEL
The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Khamenei was the target of an assassination attempt during the 12-day conflict.
By retreating underground and severing command ties, Ali Khamenei avoided death, Katz said.
Subsequently, Israel launched attacks on 13 June that killed nuclear experts and senior Iranian commanders.
Katz maintained that the operation was an independent decision made by Israel and rejected the need for US approval.
The Iranian officials confirm that Iran retained significant enriched uranium stockpiles despite Israeli efforts to eradicate them.
TRUMP DEFENDS US STRIKES
The US attacks “completely obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, according to Donald Trump.
Using cruise missiles and bunker-buster munitions, the attacks targeted Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump dismissed Iran’s retaliatory response and urged Tehran to resume talks.
In addition, he criticised intelligence assessments that showed little harm, calling them “low confidence” leaks.
Although Trump claimed that the attacks destroyed vital nuclear components, such as centrifuges and underground enrichment plants, U.S. intelligence assessments and IAEA analysts forecast primarily minor damage, indicating that Iran’s nuclear program is probably delayed by months rather than years.
SEPARATION FROM IAEA
The United States attacks caused “significant damage” to Iran’s programme, according to the United Nations (UN) nuclear regulatory body.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi reports that the Iranian government has suspended the IAEA’s inspections, leaving future cooperation uncertain.
He criticised the IAEA for not condemning US-Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities. Germany urged Iran to uphold the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and maintain its ties with the IAEA.
To reevaluate its nuclear commitments and cooperation with the IAEA, the Iranian parliament passed legislation.
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