TEHRAN, Iran โ In a powerful and triumphant address, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared a resounding victory against Israel, congratulating the Iranian nation on the "collapse and crushing" of what he termed the "fake Zionist regime." His televised message marks Khamenei's first public comments since a recent ceasefire brought an end to intense hostilities between Iran and Israel. ๐๏ธ
Khamenei's Victory Lap: "Israel Brought to its Knees!" ๐
Khamenei's tone was unmistakably celebratory as he lavished praise on the Iranian armed forces. He asserted that their retaliatory strikes had successfully brought Israel "to its knees." kneeling_person_light_skin_tone "Despite all its noise and claims," Khamenei declared, "the Zionist regime was nearly brought to its knees and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic." He attributed this alleged success not only to Iran's military might but also to the unwavering support of the Iranian people. ๐ช
USA's "Failed Intervention" & "Harsh Slap"! ๐บ๐ธ๐
The Supreme Leader went on to claim that the United States had intervened directly in the conflict, driven by a fear that "the Zionist regime would be utterly destroyed" without its support. However, he asserted that Washington "gained nothing from this war." Khamenei also pointed to a recent Iranian missile attack on a US base in Qatar, describing it as a "harsh slap" to the US. While Iranian state media touted the success of this strike, reports from the US and Qatar indicated no casualties, suggesting a more symbolic nature. ๐ค
Return from Seclusion: A Show of Strength & Defiance! ๐ก๏ธ
Khamenei's speech follows a period of heightened tensions, including reported Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and top military commanders, to which Iran responded with its own missile launches. During the 12-day conflict, Khamenei was reportedly at a secret location, fueling speculation about his whereabouts and health. His reappearance and strong declaration of victory are widely seen as a strategic move to project strength and solidify both internal and regional support. โ
Conflicting Narratives: Iran's Triumph vs. Israel's Dismissal ๐ฃ๏ธ
While Iranian state television depicted jubilant crowds rallying in support of the armed forces, Israeli officials have swiftly dismissed Khamenei's claims as "ridiculous." Uri Dromi, a retired Israeli colonel and former government spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that Iran's claims of victory were "not credible." ๐ โโ๏ธ
Khamenei's narrative of triumph is undeniably a crucial element in shaping public perception within Iran and reinforcing the Islamic Republic's image as a powerful regional player capable of confronting its adversaries. His message underscores Iran's unwavering resolve and its categorical rejection of any notion of surrender, boldly stating that such an event "will never happen." ๐ซ This powerful pronouncement is set to further intensify the already complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, with starkly differing interpretations of the recent conflict's outcome setting the stage for future confrontat
ions. ๐๐ฅ