Khamenei Claims US Strikes on Iran Had No Impact on Nuclear Program

Following renewed tensions and strikes by the US on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei addressed the nation, asserting that the US actions did not disrupt the nuclear program as intended. He warned of potential future strikes on US bases in retaliation, while US officials touted their operation as a significant success.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently addressed the nation following a ceasefire agreement with Israel, insisting that the US aimed to damage Iran's nuclear program through strikes on marked facilities but achieved no significant accomplishments. Khamenei, claiming that the retaliation against an American air base in Qatar dealt a "heavy blow," contended that the US did not disrupt Iran's nuclear ambitions with these attacks.

Despite Khamenei's stance, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed confidence during a Pentagon press conference that the strikes led to a severe setback for Iran’s nuclear operations. He stated that intelligence from both the US and Israel indicated the attacks had "destroyed" crucial nuclear sites, with President Trump claiming the strikes had "totally obliterated" three key facilities. These assertions were met with skepticism from unnamed American officials, leading to concern that the damage might not have been as extensive as initially thought.

Khamenei, who had remained out of sight since the onset of direct conflict with Israel on June 13, recently reappeared in public, having reportedly been in a secure location. In his address, he hinted at the possibility of further strikes on US bases in the Middle East if aggression continued, proclaiming victory over both the US and Israel and accusing Trump of exaggerating the effectiveness of the strikes against Iranian sites.

The situation escalated after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon swiftly if left unchecked, prompting a declaration from the global nuclear watchdog that Iran was in violation of non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran maintains its nuclear program serves civilian purposes only and denies any intentions of weaponizing it.

As tensions mount, Iran's parliament moved to limit cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), refusing further access to nuclear inspectors. In the chaos following US strikes, Iranian health authorities reported significant casualties, while Israeli sources confirmed lower figures. The US's sudden involvement in the conflict not only signified a turn in the crisis but sparked an urgent ceasefire coordinated by Trump, though the situation remains unstable.

While Khamenei's recent address and bold declarations provide insight into Iran's perspective, the broader implications of US actions and Tehran's nuclear ambitions continue to evolve. The next few weeks could be pivotal in determining the future dynamics of Iran-US relations and nuclear policy in the region.