Khamenei Belittles Impact of U.S., Israeli Strikes in Prerecorded Speech

Latest Developments

• First Public Appearance Since Ceasefire: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to attack American bases if the United States were to strike Iran again in the future, in his first public appearance since a ceasefire took effect between Israel and Iran on June 24. “The Islamic Republic slapped America in the face. It attacked one of the important American bases in the region,” he stated, referencing a June 23 Iranian ballistic missile attack against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. “The fact that the Islamic Republic has access to important American centers in the region and can take action against them whenever it deems necessary is not a small incident, and this incident can be repeated in the future if an attack is made,” Khamenei added.
• Khamenei Says U.S. ‘Saved’ Israel: Khamenei asserted in his prerecorded speech that despite the severe damage done to Iran’s key nuclear sites by U.S. and Israeli strikes, the United States military “gained no achievement” during the conflict. He added, “The U.S. directly entered the war as it felt that if it did not get involved, the Zionist regime [Israel] would be fully destroyed.” Khamenei belittled the June 21 U.S. strikes against Fordow and other Iranian nuclear sites as “abnormal showmanship.”
• Khamenei Reportedly Uninvolved in Ceasefire Talks: The supreme leader was reportedly not consulted during ceasefire negotiations brokered by Qatar and the United States, according to Iran International. A source told the outlet that there was no opportunity for Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and President Masoud Pezeshkian to contact Khamenei before Iran responded to the ceasefire proposal, and Iran’s agreement was conveyed without his knowledge or input. Iran Internationalhad previously reported that Khamenei had rushed to a secure bunker in the Lavizan region of Tehran shortly after Israel’s June 13 opening decapitation strikes against Iranian regime and nuclear targets.

FDD Expert Response

“Prerecorded bunker broadcasts, even after the ceasefire, convey anything but victory. It was the early ceasefire that spared Tehran from collapse, as Israel’s campaign increasingly spoke to the Iranian people. With the public being the regime’s greatest vulnerability, this is the most critical moment to pursue a maximum support policy.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

“The regime in Tehran is in damage control mode and is attempting to hold on to power through mass censorship and propaganda. After the devastating U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that it completed a massive counterattack against U.S. assets in Qatar, an attack that was completely thwarted by missile defense systems. Plainly, Iran’s air defense systems and air force have been almost entirely destroyed, and much of the ballistic missile arsenal has been eliminated. Iran must now cling to its navy, its scattered IRGC assets, and its regional proxies to perform even basic defense functions.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Enmity Against God’: Iran Arrests Hundreds and Executes 3 for Allegedly Spying for Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spy as Regime’s Internet Blackout Persists,” FDD Flash Brief

“5 Oppressive Iranian Institutions Israel has Targeted,” by Janatan Sayeh

“Israel cannot settle for a temporary military win, it must topple the Islamic regime,” by Saeed Ghasseminejad