Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared victory over Israel and the United States in a televised address on June 26, 2025, marking his first public statement since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended a 12-day conflict with Israel. In the prerecorded video, Khamenei claimed Iran’s missile strikes on Israel and a U.S. air base in Qatar delivered a “severe slap” to America, while downplaying the damage from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The speech, heavy on rhetoric, has sparked debate over its accuracy and intent amid Iran’s ongoing domestic and international challenges. Details of Khamenei’s Claims In the June 26 address, Khamenei asserted that Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes during the conflict, which began June 13, 2025, nearly “crushed”...