'Will attack more US bases if ...': Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei issues threat; first public comments after US strike

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first televised address since the Iran-Israel ceasefire, warned on Thursday that they would target American military bases in the Middle East if the US launched future attacks.

The 86-year-old Khamenei, speaking from an undisclosed indoor location with an Iranian flag and a portrait of Ruhollah Khomeini, claimed victory following 12 days of conflict, which included an Iranian strike on a major US base in Qatar.


"The Islamic Republic slapped America in the face. It attacked one of the important American bases in the region," Khamenei said.


In his pre-recorded statement broadcast on state television, Khamenei dismissed US President Donald Trump's demands, asserting that Iran would not capitulate. He emphasised Iran's capability to strike American facilities in the region, describing it as a significant development that could be replicated.

When questioned about potential US responses to Iran rebuilding its nuclear enrichment programme, Trump responded "sure" on Wednesday. Western leaders have long accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons, which Iranian authorities consistently deny.

Khamenei stated that whilst the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities were ineffective, America intervened primarily to protect Israel after Iranian missiles penetrated Israeli defence systems. He characterised Trump's actions as theatrical, particularly regarding claims about destroying Iran's nuclear programme with 30,000-pound bombs.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed "a historic victory" after the ceasefire, stating Israel had succeeded in eliminating Tehran's nuclear and missile threats. Following Khamenei's remarks, Netanyahu shared an image of himself with Trump, accompanied by the message: "We will continue to work together to defeat our common enemies."