Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is broadcasting a statement to the nation – his first video message since US strikes, and Iran’s ceasefire with Israel.
“A third congratulation, congratulations on the unity of the Iranian nation. A nation of around 90 million stood united, with one voice, shoulder to shoulder, in support of the armed forces,” Khamenei said.
“The Iranian nation demonstrated its distinguished character and showed that, when necessary, a single voice will be heard from this nation,” he added.
In his statement, Ayatollah Khamenei said the US “failed to achieve anything significant” by attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
He said US President Donald Trump had made an “unusually exaggerated” account of what had taken place.
He said the US “entered a direct war because it felt that if it did not, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed”.
Khamenei went on to suggest the US “gained no achievements from this war,” adding that Iran was able to emerge “victorious” and “delivered a hard slap to America’s face.”
