Iran’s Supreme Leader Declares ‘Glorious Victory’ Over Israel, U.S. in Televised Address
TEHRAN||June 27: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday hailed what he called a “glorious victory” over both Israel and the United States following a recent wave of regional hostilities, declaring that the Zionist regime had been “crushed” and that the Islamic Republic had emerged stronger than ever.
In his third televised address since the Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on June 13, Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated the Iranian people for standing united in the face of aggression and praised the country’s armed forces for their swift and powerful response.
“Despite all its noise and claims, the Zionist regime was brought to its knees and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic,” he said. “This victory belongs to the Iranian people and our armed forces.”
The leader said Iran’s successful retaliation, which included missile strikes on Israeli military and urban targets, demonstrated the country’s ability to overcome advanced, multilayered defense systems. “Thanks be to God, our armed forces managed to flatten large parts of their military and urban infrastructure,” he stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the conflict, including senior military officials and scientists, calling them “heroes who served faithfully until martyrdom.”
He warned that the military operation served as a message: any aggression against Iran will come at a steep price.“ The events have demonstrated to the Zionist regime and the global community that the Islamic Republic will confront acts of aggression with overwhelming force.
The Supreme Leader also addressed the role of the United States, stating that Washington had entered the conflict to protect Israel but had “gained nothing.”
He referenced the U.S. military’s attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it an unprovoked and illegal act. In response, Iran reportedly launched missile strikes on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of the largest U.S. installations in the region.
“The U.S. claimed nothing happened, but something significant did occur. Their efforts failed, and our retaliation sent a clear message,” Ayatollah Khamenei asserted. “Our capacity to strike vital U.S. assets in the region is real, and we will do it again if necessary.”
One of the key points in the leader’s address was the “extraordinary unity” of the Iranian people during the conflict. He praised the nation’s collective strength, saying that nearly 90 million people stood together in support of the armed forces.
“They spoke with one voice, acted with one purpose, and showed the world the nobility of the Iranian nation,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also sharply reacted to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly stated that Iran must surrender.
“To speak of surrender to a nation with the culture, history, and will of Iran is a joke,” he said. “Iran is not a nation that bows to pressure. These comments are not only an insult—they are absurd.”
He emphasized that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has deep roots, going back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. “Whether they speak of human rights, democracy, or nuclear enrichment, their goal has always been the same: to see Iran surrender.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said Trump had simply made that agenda more transparent. “His words stripped away the masks his predecessors wore. Now, the truth is clearly visible.
In closing, the Supreme Leader reiterated Iran’s strength and resilience: “The Iranian nation is honorable—and will remain honorable. It is victorious—and, by God’s grace, will continue to be victorious.”
The address comes just days after a unilateral ceasefire was declared by Israel following high-intensity exchanges between both sides, raising the stakes for regional stability.